‘It feels like a dream’: protests come to end as Israelis sing in Hostage Square

After 733 days, news of agreement greeted with celebration in Tel Aviv and stickers saying: They're coming home'

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."

Gone were the protest slogans Israelis had chanted for the last two years, calling on their government to secure the release of hostages. In their place were marching bands and crowds singing about the imminent return of their loved ones.

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.