Crystal Dike
Scenes of jubilation erupted across Israel on Wednesday night after the announcement of a landmark deal expected to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza for more than two years.
The breakthrough, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, has been hailed as a moment of relief and renewed hope for families who have endured years of anguish since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Under the agreement — which still awaits formal approval from Israel’s war cabinet — Hamas is to release 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 others in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
So far, 148 hostages have been returned, most through previous ceasefire deals, while 51 bodies have been recovered and eight others rescued by Israeli forces.
In Tel Aviv’s iconic Hostages’ Square, hundreds of people poured into the streets, waving flags, chanting, and dancing beneath Israeli and U.S. banners. Emotions ran high as fireworks lit the night sky.
“It’s a magical day,” said one woman holding a sign that read ‘We love Trump.’
Nearby, Yael, 50, wept openly as she watched the celebrations. “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 hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks after learning he would soon be released. “They’re coming back!… Matan is coming home!” cried Einav Zangauker, holding her daughter tightly.
Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, expressed her joy on social media, writing, “My child, you are coming home.”
For Rotem Cooper, whose parents were kidnapped during the Hamas assault, the moment carried mixed emotions. His mother was freed weeks after the attack, but his father died in captivity and his body remains in Gaza.
“It’s a mixed bag of emotions,” Cooper said. “It’s something we’ve been fighting for — on the streets, at the Knesset, talking to world leaders. All of a sudden, we’re here. It’s about all the hostages. It’s about ending the war.”
He added that the agreement would finally allow him to bury his father and mourn properly.
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, who was freed in an earlier prisoner exchange, joined fellow survivor Romi Gonen in reciting prayers and toasting “L’chaim” — to life. Damari has been campaigning for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman, who are among those listed for release.
Their brother, Liran Berman, posted on social media: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.”
Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and whose body was later found in a tunnel in Gaza, said he was overwhelmed by the news.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening,” Dickman said. “We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is.”
While still grieving his cousin’s death, he said he was “glowing with joy for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back.”
The hostage deal is part of a wider Gaza Peace Plan being negotiated under U.S. mediation, aimed at ending the two-year conflict that has devastated the enclave and claimed tens of thousands of lives.