Fireworks and a Cheer to Life: Israelis Rejoice at Agreement to Return Captives

The announcement regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused joy and comfort across Israel.

An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the agreement’s signing.

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

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Families Celebrate with Fireworks

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending homecoming.

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

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

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for a deal which ensures the return of everyone still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and here it is,” he said.

He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful 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 embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

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

“Until the last hostage is here, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment through a truce agreement earlier this year.

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