US President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement which is expected to result in the release of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has caused delight and relief across Israel. The Hostages Families Forum, an organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza, expressed 'profound gratitude' to Trump for what it called an 'historic breakthrough'.
The deal - which still must be agreed upon by Israel's war cabinet - will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
So far, 148 hostages have been returned - most as part of previous ceasefire deals - 51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages' Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the deal being signed. A crowd began clapping and dancing under US and Israeli flags - one woman holding up a sign saying: 'We love Trump.'
'It's a magical day,' the woman said.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the crowd dancing. 'I'm very excited - it's such a relief,' she said. 'We need to see them come back home to their families.'
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be returned home. Einav Zangauker said, 'They're coming back!... Matan is coming home!'
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting 'L'chaim', meaning 'to life'.
Amidst the joy, many families remain cautious, understanding that the situation is still in flux. Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt like she was living 'in a dream'. 'We're more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare.' However, she cautioned, 'Until the last hostage is here, we're not opening the champagne. We've been fighting... until the end.'
The deal - which still must be agreed upon by Israel's war cabinet - will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
So far, 148 hostages have been returned - most as part of previous ceasefire deals - 51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages' Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the deal being signed. A crowd began clapping and dancing under US and Israeli flags - one woman holding up a sign saying: 'We love Trump.'
'It's a magical day,' the woman said.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the crowd dancing. 'I'm very excited - it's such a relief,' she said. 'We need to see them come back home to their families.'
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be returned home. Einav Zangauker said, 'They're coming back!... Matan is coming home!'
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting 'L'chaim', meaning 'to life'.
Amidst the joy, many families remain cautious, understanding that the situation is still in flux. Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt like she was living 'in a dream'. 'We're more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare.' However, she cautioned, 'Until the last hostage is here, we're not opening the champagne. We've been fighting... until the end.'
