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The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused delight and comfort throughout Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending homecoming.

“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her child.

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

The joy could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement which ensures the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those returning to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling.

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has accomplished for us. We feel that this could be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when 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 through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group