With fewer than 6,000 residents, two small restaurants, and just one school, the Israeli settlement of Shilo in the West Bank has little to catch the eye.

Yet in the past few days, its only roundabout has been transformed into a colourful display of fairy lights, blue and white bunting, and Israeli flags.

Residents have also placed Hebrew letters on the ground, which translate as: “We’ve been waiting for you. We’re lighting the way home.”

This is how Avinatan Or will be welcomed when the 32-year-old finally returns to his home settlement after two years in Hamas captivity.

At least, that is the hope of his British-Israeli family.

Ditza, his mother, and Moshe, his brother, are among the many relatives facing an agonising wait ahead of the planned release of 20 living hostages by Hamas on Monday.