In the morning autumn air, a woman sat on the concrete in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, weeping.
Waving at the video screen in front of her, which was relaying live vision of white Red Cross SUVs driving through the bombed-out streets of Gaza, they were tears of relief as much as they were of joy.
After two long years, the hostage ordeal was finally coming to an end, in a dramatic turning point in the war with Hamas in Gaza.
This was what Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed his military was fighting for.
In the 738 days since Hamas's deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the country's military had unleashed hell on Gaza and the Palestinian population, in order to extract the hostages from the terrorist group's clutches.
It had led to almost unimaginable devastation and destruction, the death toll in Gaza fast approaching 68,000 according to local health authorities.
About 1,000 Israeli soldiers had been killed, according to the military.
Many Israelis who gathered to watch the day unfold are the same who had shown up week after week to demand their government seal a deal and get the hostages home, critical of delays and the scuttling of previous prospects of relative peace.
So as the first seven captives were handed over to the International Red Cross, Israelis applauded but held their breath.
They cheered as those same people crossed the border.
And as the remaining 13 living hostages were freed, they finally exhaled.
The news that of the remaining 28 dead captives, the remains of only four were handed over that same day, fuelled anger once more.
"Even now, efforts are being made, at all levels, to exert pressure to continue the process of releasing the murdered hostages," Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.
"We demand that Hamas uphold their part of the agreement.
"We do not forget them for a moment; we will not rest until they all reach their families and are laid to rest in Israel."
Hostages reunite after two years
Throughout the day, emotional reunions played out on big screens across the country as the IDF and the Israeli prime minister's office distributed video of the hostages meeting their families after two years in captivity.
Einav Zangauker, one of the most vocal critics of the Netanyahu government's conduct in negotiations, ran to her son Matan and wrapped him in a tight hug — telling him his family, fiancée and dog were waiting for him.
"He's still alive?" Matan asked about his pet.
"Of course they brought him back to me after four days," his mother replied.
There were tears as the Cohen family embraced Nimrod Cohen, an Israeli soldier who was seen being pulled from a tank by Hamas on October 7.
"Thank you for everyone — all the people here in Israel and around the world that fight with us for this moment," his mother Viki Cohen said in a video while travelling to Re'im to meet her son.
Evyatar David, who was last seen in a video released by his captors where he was shown digging what he said was his own grave, made a love heart gesture to crowds of Israelis who had gathered at the hospital he and other released hostages were taken to.
Brothers Ariel and David Cunio emerged from a Red Cross vehicle together.
Ariel was later reunited with his partner, Arbel Yehoud, who was also taken hostage, but was freed in January.
Jubilant spectators at Hostages Square
Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, as it has been known for the last two years, has been the focal point for a nation rallying for its missing citizens.
The public square, in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and public library, was chosen in part because it is just across the road from the Kirya — the headquarters of the IDF, which occupies a few blocks in the centre of the city, surrounded by brick and razor wire fencing.
When helicopters carrying the hostages to one of the three hospitals put on stand-by to receive them flew over the area, it sparked wild applause from the crowds waiting below.
Marian and Guy had travelled to join the celebrations, with their two children — the youngest, Sinai, was only a year old.
"We came here with our two children to give them some hope, to show them how people are happy after having this war," Guy told the ABC.
"The last two years were horrible, but even before that it was hard to think of hope," Marian added.
She said the war could not continue, and that there needed to be peace between Israelis and Palestinians — she was hopeful the lesson could be learnt from the horrors of the last two years.
Nearby, Elad Bar-Dayan was taking in the scene armed with a large US flag. He was not sure the deal would have ever happened without US President Donald Trump's intervention.
"I want to show my appreciation for President Trump, for all that he did for us," he told the ABC.
Esther Shirin Levy was cheering and clapping to the music playing in the square, as the hours ticked over.
"This is what the Israeli people do. If somebody is in a problem … we come together to help," she said.
Nearby Rozanne Sehayik said she was visiting Israel during the Jewish high holiday season, and did not want to miss the moment.
"I am feeling so overjoyed with happiness, emotion and just so grateful to be witnessing this beautiful moment in our lives and in the history of the beautiful Jewish nation," she said
Two Australians living in Israel, Benji Sharp and Michael Shandler, were also soaking up the atmosphere.
"We came out onto the streets because we, as a nation, as a people, came out week after week and said that we want our hostages home, we want this war to end, and this is the fruits of our labour," Benji said.
"Whether you love or hate Trump, he's a controversial figure, he's bullied his way into this scenario and I think this place is just so grateful for having the hostages home — we'd thank just about anyone," Michael added.
"I don't know if Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu] could have done it, but I'm happy it's done. I don't care who does it."
A standing ovation for Trump
Mr Trump, a champion to many at the square, touched down in Israel to receive a hero's welcome by its leaders.
The US president's visit to the Knesset was a rollicking affair, featuring standing ovations, obsequious praise, off-script jaw-droppers and a protest.
By the time Mr Trump started speaking, he was three hours behind schedule, but the Knesset's speaker, Amir Ohana, seemed unperturbed by the timetabling issues.
He gave a lengthy and rousing address in which he described Mr Trump as a "giant of Jewish history", a "colossus who will be enshrined in the pantheon of history".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also heaped praise on his guest, describing him as the "greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House".
The Israeli leader also used his address to counter criticisms he let the war drag on too long for personal gain.
"Israel did what it had to do," Mr Netanyahu said.
"With indomitable courage, we set out to defend our people, to defeat our enemies, and to release our hostages."
Then, finally it was Mr Trump's turn.
Heralding the "historic dawn of a new Middle East", the US president began by sticking to pre-prepared remarks but it wasn't long before he veered off script.
At one point, Mr Trump asked Mr Netanyahu to stand, describing the Israeli leader as "not the easiest guy to deal with".
"That's what makes him great," he said to laughter.
"Thank you very much Bibi, great job."
The US president's speech was a carefully crafted plea to Israel that it was time to accept that peace was the "ultimate prize", which brought opportunities for economic prosperity.
"Instead of building fortresses, to keep enemies at bay, the nations of this region should be building infrastructure to weave your commerce closer together."
He didn't even rule out rapprochement with Israel's archenemy.
"Even to Iran, whose regime has inflicted so much death on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and co-operation is open," the president said.
"I'm telling you, they want to make a deal."
The thrust of the speech got lost at times when the US president began to riff. For example, when he mentioned his daughter Ivanka Trump's conversion to Judaism and the state of her marriage to Jared Kushner.
The most headline-grabbing part of the speech came in another unscripted moment when Mr Trump appealed directly to President Isaac Herzog to pardon Mr Netanyahu on corruption charges.
"Cigars and some champagne, who the hell cares?" he said, in reference to illicit gifts the Israeli leader allegedly received.
It was a staggering intervention in Israeli affairs from the podium of its parliament.
Another impromptu moment provided a stark illustration of the challenges facing the Israeli leader, if he does survive politically.
Two left-wing members, Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif, were swiftly ejected after they held up signs bearing the words, "Recognize Palestine".
"That was efficient," Mr Trump quipped after they were led out.
At the other end of the Israeli political spectrum are those deeply opposed to any suggestion there can be peace with the Palestinians, never mind statehood.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voted against the Gaza deal, appeared this week to endorse a call to resume the war on Gaza.
Mr Trump came to Israel to convey the message that the war was over, but it remains to be seen whether the ceasefire will last beyond the hostage handover.
