Tears, flags, relief as freed Israeli hostages return home after two years in Gaza captivity

Tears, laughter, and cries of joy filled the air across Israel on Monday as freed hostages finally reunited with their loved ones after two harrowing years in Hamas captivity.

Wrapped in blue and white Israeli flags, the former captives waved and smiled as military helicopters brought them home from Gaza — their long ordeal ending under a US-brokered ceasefire that secured the release of the remaining 20 living hostages.

In powerful scenes captured by the Israeli military, relatives wept and clung to one another in disbelief.

“My life, you are my life… you are a hero,” cried Einav Zangauker, embracing her smiling son, Matan, in one of the reunion videos.
“Love of your mother, bless you, bless you, my dear,” she sobbed.

In another clip, Eitan Mor’s father broke down in tears as he and the young man’s mother held him tightly, refusing to let go.

Other freed hostages, including Bar Kuperstein and Yosef Haim Ohana, waved from vans as they were driven to the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv, where cheering crowds waved Israeli flags and sang songs of homecoming.

Across Tel Aviv, emotions spilled over as hundreds gathered in Hostages Square, clutching pictures of those who had been held in Gaza and waving flags adorned with yellow ribbons — the enduring symbol of the movement calling for their release.

“It’s so exciting and overwhelming that it’s finally happening,” said Shelly Bar Nir, 34. “What we’ve been fighting for, for over two years — finally our hostages are coming home.”

Another woman at the square, Noga, who has worn a badge each day marking the hostages’ captivity, spoke through tears: “I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back,” she told AFP, her badge reading “Last day.”

Hamas and its allies took 251 hostages into Gaza during their unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. While many were freed in earlier truces, 47 remained — of whom only 20 were still alive.

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Since that day, Noga and countless others have gathered at Hostages Square every week, demanding action and praying for the captives’ return. When news broke that the first seven had been freed on Monday, the square erupted in cheers, music, and tears of relief.

Israel later confirmed all 20 surviving hostages had safely returned, sharing messages on social media reading simply: “Welcome home.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of the captives, urged the public to continue gathering in solidarity — a call symbolised by the yellow ribbons that now adorn roundabouts, cars, and baby strollers across Israel.

But amid the joy, grief lingered for those who did not make it back.

Israel said it did not expect the remains of the dead hostages to be released, prompting outrage from families, who accused Hamas of violating the deal.

In a statement, the families’ forum said: “Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial. Only then will the people of Israel be whole.”

As part of the exchange deal, Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, most of them Gazans detained since the start of the war — a move that underscores the delicate balance between relief and the painful cost of freedom.

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