The families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and former hostages have been celebrating the news of the ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel.
Some in Washington, DC spoke with US President Donald Trump on the phone to thank him.
In a video released by hostage families, a group can be seen saying “Thank you” as they gathered around the phone, held by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “You did it!”
Trump can be heard replying:
President Trump speaks to hostage families
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, about 200 people gathered to celebrate the agreement last night. Former hostages joined the crowds, including Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen and Romi Gonen.
Others posted on social media. “I can’t believe it,” said released hostage Ohad Ben Ami in a video on Instagram.
Addressing several of the remaining hostages in Gaza by their first names, he said, “I’m waiting for you, can’t wait to hug you already. I’m dying to (hug you). Oh, what a day. Thank you, Trump.”
Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen, two other former hostages, posted a photo on Instagram of them kissing a Trump figurine.
Liran Berman, whose twin brothers Gali and Ziv are still being held in Gaza after being abducted from Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel, posted on X:
The twins were last seen alive by witnesses in February, when the last hostage release was held during a fragile ceasefire that later fell apart. Speaking to CNN in June, Berman said he believed Gali and Ziv had been separated in the tunnels where they were being kept.
Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an Israeli soldier whose body is held by Hamas, thanked Trump and other US team members.
“We are still nervous if and when Itay and the other hostages on the deceased list will be found and brought back to us,” he said. Itay Chen is a dual US citizen.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said: “These are the tears I prayed for,” she said.
