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The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the freeing captives detained within Gaza for more than two years has generated delight and comfort across the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

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

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• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be returned home.

“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”

The delight could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in advocating for a deal that brings the homecoming of everyone still being held within Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He said he was “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Cautious Optimism from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has accomplished for us. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.

However, she warned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.

“So many things might occur until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage safely home.”

Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas