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The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing captives detained in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has caused joy and comfort throughout Israel.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 captives have been returned—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved while eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

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

A crowd began clapping and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept as she watched the people celebrating.

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

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be homecoming.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

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

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We have waited for such a long time and here it is,” he said.

He said he felt “broken” that his cousin would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

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

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

However, she warned that it was still too early to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things might occur until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas