Israel Defense Forces are preparing for the return of hostages
IDF personnel prepared on Saturday for the return of the hostages in coordination with the Israeli Health Ministry. The hostages are expected to be returned to Israel from the Gaza Strip on Sunday. (Credit: Israel Defense Forces)
The Israel Defense Forces, in coordination with the Health Ministry, additional government ministries and security officials, completed final preparations on Saturday to receive the first hostages to be released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Preparations included home-like conditions inside trailers for the hostages to sleep in before being taken to hospital and all the comforts of home, including baskets of toiletries and fresh clothes.
Inside the trailers, the hostages would have couches and potted plants for a little decoration. Outside, they can sit on outdoor patio furniture decorated with colorful oversized pillows.
Necessary medical provisions are also in place at receiving locations.
What to know about the hostages and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that began on Sunday
Reception areas were set up to make the hostages feel at home. (IDF)
From there the hostages will be taken to hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families.
The IDF said it requests “patience and sensitivity” from the public over the return of the hostages.
“We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the hostages and their families,” the IDF said. “The public is requested to refer only to official updates and announcements and avoid sharing unverified information.”
Israel-Hamas reach agreement on ceasefire, hostage release: ‘Americans will be part of it’
An IDF soldier makes preparations at the site where hostages are expected to arrive on Sunday. (IDF)
The hostages have been held by Hamas for nearly 500 days since its unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The three hostages are expected to be released on Sunday, the first time since a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed on Wednesday.
IDF personnel make preparations at various sites and hospitals where the hostages will arrive. (IDF)
It is expected that the first hostages to be released will be women.
In total, 33 hostages would be released, including two Americans. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be returned by the Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would not move forward on the outline of the agreement until it received a list of hostages to be released. This was agreed upon when the names did not come from Qatar as expected on Saturday.
“Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement,” he said. “The entire responsibility lies with Hamas.
“In war, we make clear to our enemies – we make clear to the entire world – that when the people of Israel stand together, there is no force that can break us.
Thirty-three hostages are expected to be released by Hamas. (IDF)
“To date, we have brought home 157 of our abducted people, 117 of whom are alive. In the agreement now approved, we will bring home 33 more of our brothers and sisters, the majority of whom are alive.”
He credited both President Biden and President-elect Trump for helping reach the ceasefire agreement.
“As soon as the election was over, President Trump joined the mission to free the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “He spoke to me on Wednesday night. He welcomed the agreement, and he rightly emphasized that the agreement The first step is a temporary ceasefire, he said.
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Netanyahu said Biden and Trump “fully support Israel’s right to return to the fight if Israel comes to the conclusion that negotiations on Phase B are futile.”
Netanyahu also said he appreciated Trump’s decision to “lift all remaining sanctions on the supply of essential weapons and armaments to the State of Israel.”
