In photos: Israelis welcome the ceasefire deal announcement

Thousands of jubilant Israelis gathered in a Tel Aviv square on Thursday, hopeful for the return of captives held in Gaza, after two years of fear and worry.

Many wore stickers reading "They're coming back", waving Israeli and US flags and clutching photos of the captives, after Israel and Hamas reached a captive exchange and truce deal in a major step towards ending Israel's war on Gaza.

"We have been waiting for this day for 734 days. We cannot imagine being anywhere else this morning," said Laurence Ytzhak, 54, a Tel Aviv resident.

"It's a great joy – an immense relief mixed with anxiety, fear and sorrow for the families who haven't and won't get to experience this joy," he said.

A person wearing a mask depicting US President Donald Trump holds US and Israeli flags after the hostage deal declared by Trump, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on October 9, 2025. — A person wearing a mask depicting US President Donald Trump holds US and Israeli flags, after the hostage deal was declared, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on 9 October 2025 (Reuters)

People react at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on October 9, 2025, following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal. Israel and Hamas on October 9 agreed a Gaza ceasefire deal to free the remaining living hostages, in a major step towards ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe. — People react in Tel Aviv on 9 October 2025, following the news of a Gaza ceasefire deal (Reuters)

People react at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on October 9, 2025, — Women celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv on 9 October 2025 (Reuters)