It feels like a dream': protests come to end as Israelis sing in hostages square'

"For 733 days, Israelis have come to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv with a yellow piece of tape on their shirts bearing the number of days since 251 hostages had been taken captive by Hamas-led militants. On Thursday, the yellow stickers remained but the tally was gone. In its place was a simple phrase: They're coming home. For two years, protesters had occupied the square, which faces the Israeli military headquarters, with an encampment and held rallies demanding the hostages be returned from Gaza."

"I felt good when I heard the news, but I will feel much better when I see Eitan and the rest of the hostages. With God's help, he will return on Monday from hell, said Itzik Horn, a 73-year-old whose son is one of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas. As he spoke a man blew a shofar a ram's horn that in Judaism represents faith and hope for the future to the cheers of a surrounding crowd."

"People smiled as they looked at the photos of hostages that lined the square, hopeful that they might soon see some of their faces in person. Just hours before, Israel and Hamas signed a deal to release all of the remaining living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Monday, while the remains of some 28 dead hostages would be returned when conditions allowed. Israeli forces would also partially withdraw from the Gaza strip to prepare for the hostage release."

For 733 days protesters gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv wearing yellow tape marking the days since 251 people were taken captive by Hamas-led militants. The square hosted an encampment, art installations, photos of the hostages and an electronic counter. The tally was removed and replaced with the phrase "They're coming home," as marching bands and crowds celebrated. Families expressed cautious relief, including Itzik Horn whose son Eitan is among living hostages. Israel and Hamas signed a deal to release the remaining living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, with remains of dead hostages to be returned later and Israeli forces to partially withdraw to prepare for the release.

Read at www.theguardian.com