By SAM MEDNICK and TIA GOLDENBERG, Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — For the past two years, it’s been Israel’s ground zero of anguish, uncertainty, torment and despair. But early on Thursday, the central Tel Aviv area known as Hostages Square was a burst of unfettered jubilation.

A Champagne bottle was popped open to cheers from the crowd. Sweets were doled out. Tears of joy mixed with laughter and long embraces as the news sunk in: The struggle to free Israeli captives held in Gaza appears to finally be coming to a close .

“Matan is coming home!” yelled Einav Zangauker, arguably the most prominent face of the campaign to free the hostages, referring to her captive son . Her arms raised to the sky, she shouted out “Thank you!” as a crowd of supporters, families of hostages,

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