Joy in Hostages Square

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MYRNA BROWN, HOST: It’s Friday, the 10th of October.

Glad to have you along for today’s edition of The World and Everything in It. Good morning, I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

First up on The World and Everything in It, a celebration, and hopes for peace in the Middle East.

President Trump announced yesterday that both Israel and the terror group Hamas had signed off on phase one of a ceasefire agreement.

As part of that plan, Israel would withdraw its military forces in Gaza to an agreed-upon line, while Hamas would release all of the hostages still being held after the attacks of October 7th.

BROWN: News that the hostages may soon be coming home brought hundreds out in Tel Aviv yesterday to celebrate.

WORLD Reporter Travis Kircher was there at Hostages Square.

TRAVIS KIRCHER: It’s a chant heard throughout Israel for the past two years. From demonstrations in the streets:

DEMONSTRATOR: Et kolam! Achsav! Et kolam! Achsav!

…to the audience at an October 7th memorial service in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

AUDIENCE: Et kolam! Achsav! Et kolam! Achsav!

Together they’re chanting “Et kolam, achsav.” Loosely translated into English, it means, “Everyone, now.” What they’re saying is, “bring all of the hostages home…now.” Yesterday…for the first time…there was a glimmer of hope that Israel’s cry may soon be a reality. And in a matter of mere days.

RUBINSTEIN: I’m so overwhelmed. We’ve been waiting for such a long time. So I’m just so happy. I’m just so happy.

That’s Mor Rubinstein…one of several people who flocked to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv yesterday. On Wednesday night…President Donald Trump issued a statement saying Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. And that all of the hostages—those living and dead—would be returned to their loved ones in a few days. Possibly as early as Monday.

SOUND: [SINGING AND CLAPPING]

As soon as the news came, people flocked to Hostages Square, the unofficial meeting place for supporters of the hostages. There were no events planned. But by Thursday morning, the square was packed anyway, as Israelis sang, danced, and hugged. Elad Barber was one of them.

BARBER: I think it feels like kind of a sort of an independence day for us. Of course, we’ve got to see them back first, but for the first time in two years, I think we are able to take a deep breath and have a sense of optimism.

Helly Sharvit called the hostages Israel’s brothers and sisters, and said she was hopeful that the fighting in Gaza would stop.

SHARVIT: The war will be over. No more soldiers will die and we can be whole again and happy.

On Tuesday, the second anniversary of the October 7th attacks, the mood at Hostages Square was somber and oppressive. Tamara Kolitz says her children felt it. So she brought them back on Thursday for what she says was a very different vibe, one of happiness and celebration.

KILITZ: Hoping that things can be better. That things can go back on track and that Israel can go to good places. It’s the first good thing that has happened here for so long.

SOUND: [CHANTING AND DRUMS]

Avi Nosrati was visiting from Los Angeles. He described himself as a friend of Israel, with several family members who lived in the Jewish state.

NOSRATI: We’re seeing a celebration of mostly just freedom….Just after two years of people having to run to shelter, worried about those that are kidnapped in Gaza, it’s kind of a sign of relief. People crying, like, tears of joy, like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. And I think it’s both from the political right and the political left. Everyone is celebrating.

And there were politicians there as well.

RAYTEN: You can hear it for yourself—the joy is something to remember. This is really an historic day.

Efrat Rayten is a member of the Knesset—Israel’s parliament—and a representative of Israel’s Democrats party. She says this kind of spontaneous celebration harkens back decades ago in Israel’s history.

RAYTEN: The last time that we saw or heard about people going out into the streets and dancing and singing, I think it was in 1948 when the establishment of Israel. That was the last time that people sang outside in the streets. Because this is the real joy—a real joy to have our family and to have the hostages back home.

SOUND: [Loud singing and drums]

At one point during the celebration, someone began pouring free drinks and passing out glasses. Folks leaped, danced, and cried. Many, like Chuck Maurer, who was visiting from Manchester, gave credit to Trump for helping to push the deal through.

MAURER: We were just praying about Donald Trump would get us out of this mess. And he has. God bless him. Yeah. He’s the best man for a job. Without a doubt.

But even amid the cheers, the tears, the chanting, and the prayers, people here admit there is one haunting question in the back of their minds: Can Hamas be trusted to live up to their end of the bargain? Or are all of these celebrations premature?

SHARVIT: They’re still not back. I feel like the tension is still up in the air. …We know what we’re dealing with. Hamas has let us down before and we want to make sure that everything is going smoothly and everything will be fine.

In all likelihood, we should know the answer to that question in the next few days. For now, the battle cry among these celebrants—and throughout all of Israel—will continue to be…

Everyone. Now.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Travis Kircher. From Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv.

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