Israeli delight from the peace deal that will see pledged hostages

The declaration of US President Donald Trump as an agreement, which is expected to lead to the liberation of hostages in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has caused enjoyment and relief in Israel.

The hostage family forum, an organization that advocates for the return of Israeli captives to Gaza, expressed Trump’s “deep gratitude” for what he calls a “historical breakthrough”.

The deal – which is still to be agreed by the Israeli military office – will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in the exchange of 250 Palestinian prisoners, serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1700 detained by Gaza.

So far, 148 hostages have been returned – the greater part of the previous fire termination transactions – 51 bodies have been restored and eight hostages have been rescued.

The cheerful scenes unfolded on the hostage square in Tel Aviv, while hundreds of people gathered before the deal that was signed.

The crowd began to clap and dance beneath us and Israeli flags – a woman who holds a sign, saying, “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, shouted as he watched the crowd dance.

“I’m very excited – it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see them return home to their families.”

Israeli hostage’s mother and sister Matan Zanguker lit fireworks in honor of the news that he would be returned home.

“They are coming back! … Matan is coming home!” said Ainov Zangaucker as he held his daughter.

Vicky Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, publishes on social media: “My child, you go home.”

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrates with another liberated hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, after which he gets “L’Cheam”, which means “life”. She is campaigning for her friends, Gemini Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their brother Liran Berman publishes, “My Gali and Ziv, I love you very much. You go home.”

Gill Dickman Carmel Gat’s cousin was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He joined other hostage families, insisting on a deal that brings the return of all who are still holding to gas.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening. We waited for that long and here,” he said.

He said he felt “broken”, that Carmel would not be among those who return home, but “shines for joy for the possessors of the hostages who are finally coming back.”

Dalia Kusnir, whose son -in -law Eitan Horn remains captured in gas, said he was feeling as if he were living in a dream.

“We are more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done for us. We feel that this may be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and Eitan’s embrace is feeling closer than ever,” she said.

But she warned that it was still too early to celebrate.

“Until the last hostage is here, we don’t open the champagne. We will continue to fight … until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen until the last moment, so we are so careful. We just want to thank everyone who has participated in the effort and make sure that this agreement has been made … We will only celebrate after we have the last hostage at home.”

Eitan was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel with his brother Jair, who was released from a captivity in a transaction to end the fire earlier this year.