🔗 Share this article Fireworks and a Toast for Life: Israelis Delight over Agreement Bringing Back Captives The announcement of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and comfort across Israel. An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”. The agreement—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. To date, 148 captives have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued. Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing. A crowd began clapping and dancing under American and Israeli banners—a female attendee holding up a sign that read: “We love Trump.” “It’s a magical day,” she expressed. A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing. “I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their families.” REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark the agreement EXAMINATION: Significant progress, though conflict continues Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending homecoming. “They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter. Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.” The delight could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv after the news. Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman. Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.” Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement which ensures the homecoming of all those still detained within Gaza. “I hardly believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he expressed. He stated he felt “broken” that his cousin will not be among those returning home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning. Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother. Cautious Optimism from Relatives Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked 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. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said. But she cautioned that it was still too soon to rejoice. “Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed. “So many things can happen until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is back home.” Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year. Related Developments ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | The group