Fireworks and a Toast to Life: Israelis Delight at Deal to Return Captives
The declaration regarding a deal projected to result in the release captives detained in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has caused delight and comfort across Israel.
A group that has advocated for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.
So far, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square
Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the deal being signed.
A crowd started applauding and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the news.
Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their sibling Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for a deal which ensures the return of everyone still detained within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and now it’s here,” he expressed.
He stated he felt “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are finally coming back.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.
Guarded Hope from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she experienced as if she were in “a dream state”.
“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has accomplished for us. We feel 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.
“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and ensure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only once 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 in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
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Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas
