Families of Israeli hostages and their supporters gathered Thursday at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, rejoicing as news spread that a deal had been struck to free Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip.
Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to a Gaza ceasefire deal, offering a tentative path toward ending the two-year conflict that has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, injured almost 170,000 others, and left the enclave in ruins.
The deal on the "first phase" of a U.S.-backed peace plan, coming after intense negotiations in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States, outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal, while establishing mechanisms for prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid delivery.
According to an Israeli government spokeswoman, hostages will likely begin to be released on Saturday or Sunday.
"After two years of endless suffering and pain and sorrow, we could not be happier to have this ceasefire deal signed. We're waiting, hopefully, crossing our fingers, for the moment that we see all of our loved ones back in Israel, and hopefully, for this war to end and for better days," said Dafna, a resident of Tel Aviv.
"I think it's the first time that these families are happy, all of the Israel people are happy that the hostages will come back and (this war will end). Our soldiers will back and we will start a new day in this country," said Nikita, a resident.
"It's still hard to believe that it's really happening. But if it's really happening and we'll have the hostages back, and on the other side, have their life rebuilt. And we can think about living in a new [life]. I'm listening to what President Trump is saying and it seems bigger than life, maybe it is bigger than life. And maybe there is a future to this region. It's the beginning," said Ben, another resident.
Israelis celebrate peace deal set to bring hostages home
