Freed Israeli hostages and their family and friends bounded into one another’s arms on Monday, beaming and crying with joy at the end of the captives’ two-year ordeal in Gaza.
Wrapped in blue and white Israeli flags, those returning waved and smiled as military helicopters landed them back in Israel after militants freed the remaining 20 living hostages from the Palestinian territory under a US-backed ceasefire deal.
Videos filmed and released by the Israeli military captured some of the raw emotion of the reunions.
Matan Zangauker (right) was received by his mother Einav Zangauker (left). Source: AFP / Israeli Army
"Love of your mother, bless you, bless you, my dear."
Eitan Mor (middle) aboard an Israeli military helicopter with his family. Source: AFP / Israeli Army
Bar Kuperstein waves from the window of a bus at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel. Source: AFP / Ahmad Gharabli
Ziv (left) and Gali (right) Berman after being handed over in the prisoner-hostage swap. Source: AFP / Israeli Army
Hostages' families rejoice
In nearby Tel Aviv, hundreds of people erupted in joy, tears and song on Tel Aviv's Hostages Square on Monday as news of the releases broke.
Many had come at sunrise, carrying pictures of the hostages and waving Israeli flags bearing a yellow ribbon, a symbol of the movement calling for their release.
"It's so exciting and overwhelming that it's finally happening," said Shelly Bar Nir, 34.
Omri Miran (left) was received by a family member. Source: AFP / Israeli Army
Another woman on the square, Noga, who wore a badge that read "Last day", shared her pain and joy.
"I'm torn between emotion and sadness for those who won't be coming back," she said.
Elkana Bohbot greeted upon his arrival at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre. Source: AFP / Ahmad Gharabli
Many of them were released in earlier truces, but 47 people seized on October 7 remained in Gaza. Only 20 of them are alive.
Since that day, Noga has worn a small badge each day, counting the days of their captivity.
'Welcome home'
For the past two years, people have held frequent rallies and gatherings on this spot in Tel Aviv that has become known as Hostages Square.
When the news broke that the first seven of the remaining hostages had been released on Monday, the square broke out in cheers and song.
Israel later confirmed all living 20 hostages had returned to the country, with a series of posts on X that read: "Welcome home".
Avinatan Or greets well-wishers upon arriving at Beilinson Hospital in the Rabin Medical Centre in Petah Tikva, Israel. Source: AFP / Menahem Kahana
As the war in the Gaza Strip has dragged on, the ribbons became ubiquitous in public spaces in Israel, from roundabouts to car door handles and stroller grips.
Israel did not expect all of the dead hostages to be returned on Monday.
"Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial," the forum said in a statement.
"Only then will the people of Israel be whole."
In exchange for the hostages, Israel freed nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees held in its jails, most of them Gazans detained since the start of the war.
