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The declaration regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing captives detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused joy and relief throughout Israel.

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

The deal—still requiring approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the agreement’s signing.

A crowd started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the people celebrating.

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

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.

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

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

The joy could be felt throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the news.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their brother Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.

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

He stated he felt “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last returning.

Eitan Horn was taken 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, said she experienced as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done for us. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

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

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group