“I need to see Omri and the rest of the hostages return,” Shelhav said. “Until then, I can come here, feel the growing happiness, meet Omri’s father, Dani, and see him smile. When people ask how I’m doing, I can finally say I’m almost good.”
“It’s not yet complete,” she added. “Only when we see them arrive, reunited with their families — when Omri hugs his wife, Lishay, his father, and his girls— only then will we truly be happy. But it feels like we’re heading in that direction.”
The Israeli Cabinet was set to meet on Thursday night to vote on the terms of the Trump administration-mediated deal.
While there have been previous ceasefire-for-hostage agreements, Shelhav said this one feels different as it also signals the possible end of Israel’s war against Hamas. “I’m starting to see a more optimistic future,” she said.
Nearby, Sara Ilan, from Moshav Dekel in southern Israel, sat with her granddaughter Harel Michael, watching a screen that tracks how long the remaining hostages have been held by Hamas.
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Sara Ilan sits with her granddaughter Harel Michael in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square (Image: Amelie Botbol)[Missing Credit]
“We’ve been coming here often over the past two years,” Ilan told the JC. “We live in the Gaza envelope, and today, being here among the people of Israel, we see more light in everyone’s eyes. It’s still cautious, but we’re trying to believe. I came to find more faith than I could at home.”
She added, “We need to be here – to believe the news reports, to draw strength, and to show the world that Israel cares.”
All around, Israelis wearing T-shirts printed with the faces of hostages, waving US and Israeli flags, and carrying signs calling for their return, danced together to songs of resilience and hope for a better future.
“Today is an amazing day in Israel. Finally, we see peace on the horizon,” said Jordan Fox. “After two years, we’re finally getting the hostages back home. We’ve missed them so much and look forward to peace — at least for the coming decades.”
“This is what Israeli society is all about,” he added. “Caring for people who, two years ago, were strangers and are now part of our family.”
Fox’s friend Ben Gravklev, who immigrated to Israel from Oslo, Norway, five years ago, said: “I’ve met so many incredible people—the culture here is unlike anywhere else. Despite all the horror of the past two years, it’s inspiring to see this nation’s resilience and unity in the face of its greatest struggle since the Second World War.”
“This is why I came here today – to see people unite and celebrate,” he added. “It’s a deeply important, happy day. I’m grateful, and now we can only hope the hostages will be home soon.”
Nearby, Dana, 44, from Tel Aviv, who had visited the adjacent Tel Aviv Museum of Art with her son, arrived at Hostage Square holding a miniature succah they had just built together.
“It feels great to be here,” she said. “I’m shocked and amazed. I couldn’t believe it would happen after two years. My husband and I made sure one of us attended every Saturday demonstration.
“I can’t believe it happened so suddenly,” she added. “I’m so excited, happy, and relieved — it’s truly incredible news.”
