TEL AVIV: Two years of pain were drowned out by tears of joy in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Thursday, as Israelis celebrated President Donald Trump’s announcement of the first phase of a deal aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
Lifshitz’s grandfather, Oded Lifshitz, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023 and later murdered in Hamas captivity. His remains were returned to Israel for burial in February 2025.
TRUMP Peace Deal establishes 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza
People gather in Hostages Square during a rally as a participant displays a sign with the names of the hostages, following the peace deal between Israel and Hamas. (Dana Reany/Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
“When your loved one is a deceased hostage, your soul cannot rest. You don’t know what to do; you have no place to grieve. You can’t make up a grave and go there,” Lifshitz said.
“There is a fear that some hostages will not return, that some bodies will not be found. We will stay here until the last one is brought home, but today is a public holiday.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced the agreement, writing: “This means that all hostages will be released very soon, and that Israel will withdraw its troops along an agreed line as the first steps toward a strong, lasting, and everlasting peace.”
Israelis wearing Trump face masks and waving American flags or signs thanking the American president gathered in the square in a scene of euphoria, taking photos with fellow supporters, chanting “The people of Israel live” and bubbling with hope as the nation prepares to welcome hostages kidnapped by Hamas 733 days ago.
Galit Even-Chen was among thousands of Israelis who attended the event in Hostages Square.
“Until the last hostage comes back, it’s not over,” she continued. “We’re still in trauma; we’re not even post-trauma yet. We’re still trying to understand what happened here. It feels surreal — and today is a kind of catharsis, a relief that we’re starting something better.”
TRUMP SAYS ‘WHOLE WORLD TOGETHER’ TO SECURE ISRAEL-HAMAS PEACE DEAL AFTER MONTHS OF DEADLOCK
The headquarters of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum on Wednesday evening expressed its “deep gratitude” to Trump and his team for the leadership and determination that led to the “historic breakthrough.”
“There are still 48 hostages held by Hamas. Our moral and national obligation is to bring them all home, both the living and the fallen. Their return is essential for the healing and renewal of Israeli society as a whole. We will not rest, and we will not remain silent until the last hostage is home,” the statement said.
“We are already feeling a little lighter, not as heavy as before. We hope to get back to what we once were – but it has to happen as soon as possible. For now, we are floating in the air; we have to stay grounded and watch how things unfold,” Menashe added.
The Israeli army has announced preparations to receive the 20 living hostages at the Re’im base, close to the Gaza border, including the establishment of a special area where they will be checked by medical officials and freshen up before being reunited with their families. Afterwards, the released prisoners will be flown to hospitals across Israel, which have already cleared special wards.
Earlier this week, families of hostages sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, calling on the body to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump because he had “made possible what many thought was impossible.”
“Over the past year, no leader or organization has contributed more to peace around the world than President Trump,” the letter said. “While many have spoken eloquently of peace, he achieved it. While others have made empty promises, he has delivered tangible results that have saved countless lives.”
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Trump and first lady Melania thanked the forum in a letter sent Tuesday — the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre.
“My entire administration is moved by the fact that, despite the unimaginable pain and suffering of not knowing the whereabouts of your loved ones for two years, you have continued to tell their stories and advocate on their behalf,” Trump wrote.
