Fireworks along with a Toast to Life: Israeli Citizens Rejoice over Deal Bringing Back Hostages
The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused joy and comfort throughout Israel.
A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—which still must be agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.
So far, 148 captives have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square
Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.
A crowd began clapping and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—one woman holding up a placard saying: “We love Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”
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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the announcement that he would be returned home.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”
The joy could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv after the news.
Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for a deal that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We have waited for such a long time and now it’s here,” he expressed.
He said he felt “broken” that Carmel will not be among those returning to their homes but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt like she was living “in a dream”.
“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has done on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.
However, she warned that it remained too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.
“Numerous events might occur up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”
Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Related Developments
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Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas
