'Thank You, Trump': Israel and Hostage Families Rejoice Over Gaza Deal

Tears of joy and heartfelt gratitude poured across Israel on Thursday as families of hostages held in Gaza publicly thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for brokering a landmark deal that will bring all 48 captives home and end the war. In a video shared by Trump on Truth Social, relatives of the hostages praised him for his courage and determination.

“We are the families of hostages. We came here to Washington, DC, this week to mark the October 7 attack against our people,” the families said. “And today, President Trump has done it. He announced just now that our loved ones… are coming home. Thank you, President Trump, for your courage.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released an official statement expressing emotional anticipation and urging the Israeli government to approve the agreement without delay. “The families of the hostages received the news of the agreement to bring back all 48 hostages and the one female hostage with emotion, anticipation, and apprehension.”

In a later video posted by the forum, Trump can be heard stating that the living hostages will be released Monday.

Personal testimonies flooded social media in a chorus of hope and praise. “Matan returns home, to me, to Natalie and Shani,” wrote Einav Zangauker, whose son was taken by Hamas. “For these tears, I prayed.”

“Home, home, my Matan,” added Anat Angrest, another mother awaiting reunion. “The time has come to return.”

“I can’t breathe,” said Meirav Gilboa Dalal, whose son Guy is among the living hostages. “The main thing is that he comes back healthy and whole. We’re all so happy… It will be the happiest day of my life, my new birthday.”

Former hostages and survivors also added their voices. Omer Wenkert posted a video raising a glass in honor of the soon-to-return captives. Omer Shem Tov and Elia Cohen went live on Instagram, celebrating the announcement with friends. Friends of Romi Gonen and Emily Damari broadcast their reactions in real-time as the two received the news.

Former hostage Ohad Ben-Ami publicly named his fellow captives in a message of solidarity, calling out Elkana Bohbot, Segev Kalfon, Maksym Harkin, Bar Kupershtein, and Yosef Haim Ohana hostages with whom he endured months in captivity.

Ruby Chen, whose son Itay Chen was killed on October 7 and whose body is still held by Hamas, thanked Trump and envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, along with Israeli negotiators. “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 wrote.

As the reality of their long-awaited return sinks in, Israel is experiencing a collective moment of release a breakthrough after 24 months of fear, sorrow, and uncertainty. The Trump-brokered deal has brought hope back to grieving families and a sense of closure to a nation that never stopped praying.

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