Celebratory Displays along with a Cheer to Life: Israelis Rejoice over Deal to Return Hostages
The declaration regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for more than 24 months has generated joy and comfort throughout Israel.
An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The agreement—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s 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.
To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled before the agreement’s signing.
The gathering began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee holding up a placard saying: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous 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 their return home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”
The joy was palpable throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.
Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of all those still detained within Gaza.
“I hardly believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he said.
He said he was “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
Cautious Optimism from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has accomplished for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.
But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.
“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.
“Numerous events might occur until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when 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 through a truce agreement earlier in the year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal
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