Joyful Cries and Tears in Tel Aviv After Hostage Release from Gaza

On Sunday afternoon, Tel Aviv's "Hostages Square" was filled with a mix of joyous shouts and tears as news broke of the release of three Israeli hostages from Gaza on the first day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"I can't explain… I'm sorry," said 23-year-old journalist Roni Tarnovyski, breaking down in tears in front of one of the giant screens set up in the square, a focal point for hundreds of thousands of Israelis advocating for the release of hostages taken during Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. "It's simply overwhelming; it's a feeling we haven't felt in over a year," she added, expressing hope for the safe return of all hostages.

A Moment to Remember

Hagar Drake, a 34-year-old Tel Aviv resident, emphasized the importance of being present for this momentous occasion. "I had to be here to see this live, to understand that it is finally happening," she said with a radiant smile. The crowd held its breath during a long wait as television broadcasts announced the imminent release.

As the silhouettes of the young women appeared, transitioning from a Hamas vehicle to an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 4x4, a wave of applause erupted. Amidst filming phones, some individuals wept while others jumped with joy. Cheers erupted again when Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the three young women had finally arrived in Israel after 471 days in captivity.

Prayers and Hope

In Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog chose to pray at the Western Wall—one of Judaism's holiest sites—just before their release. He described this moment as "a ray of light in the darkness, a moment of hope… that will forever be etched in our memory." The Forum of Families, an Israeli association representing relatives of hostages, stated that the return of these three women "reminds us of our profound responsibility to continue working for the release of all hostages until the last one returns home."

Next to the screens at "Hostages Square," a large clock displayed every second since the hostage-taking incident. The numbers continued to roll for over 90 hostages still held in Gaza.

While awaiting their release during the ceasefire, 28-year-old Gal Handberg relished "a moment of relief." "We can finally breathe, if only for a moment."