Israel Defense Forces preparing for return of hostages
IDF personnel worked with the Israeli Ministry of Health on Saturday to prepare for the return of the hostages. The hostages are scheduled to return to Israel from the Gaza Strip on Sunday. (Credit: Israel Defense Forces)
The Israel Defense Forces, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, other ministries and security agencies, completed final preparations on Saturday to receive the first hostages released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Preparations included a home-like environment in a trailer where the hostages could sleep before heading to the hospital, as well as all the comforts of home, such as a basket of toiletries and a change of clothes.
Inside the trailer, the hostages’ sofas and potted plants are placed as small decorations. Outside, you can sit on outdoor patio furniture accented with colorful oversized pillows.
The reception area is also equipped with the necessary medical equipment.
What you need to know about the Israeli-Hamas hostage and ceasefire agreement scheduled to begin on Sunday
The reception area for the hostages was set up to look like a home. (IDF)
From there, the hostages will be taken to a hospital and reunited with their families.
The Israel Defense Forces said it asked for the public’s “patience and consideration” as it prepares for the return of the hostages.
“We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the hostages and their families,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. “The public should only refer to official updates and announcements and refrain from sharing unverified information.”
Israel-Hamas ceasefire, hostage release agreement reached: “America will join in”
Israeli Defense Force soldiers prepare at the scene where the hostages are expected to arrive on Sunday. (IDF)
The hostages have been held by Hamas for almost 500 days since Hamas’s unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The three hostages are expected to be the first to be released on Sunday after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.
IDF personnel are preparing at various sites and hospitals where the hostages will arrive. (IDF)
The first hostage to be released is expected to be a woman.
A total of 33 hostages, including two Americans, were released. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will be returned by Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel would not proceed with the outline of the agreement until it received a list of hostages to be released. This was agreed after the names did not arrive from Qatar as expected on Saturday.
“Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement,” he said. “The only responsibility lies with Hamas.
“…In war, we make it clear to our enemies and to the whole world that when the people of Israel are united, there is no power that can crush us.
Hamas plans to release 33 hostages. (IDF)
“To date, we have brought back 157 abductees, 117 of whom are alive. With this approved agreement, we have brought back an additional 33 brothers and sisters, most of whom are still alive. ”
He also credited both President Biden and President-elect Trump for their contributions to achieving the ceasefire agreement.
“As soon as President Trump was elected, he joined the mission to free the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “He spoke to me on Wednesday night. He welcomed the agreement and rightly emphasized that the first step in the agreement is a temporary ceasefire. That’s what he referred to as a ‘temporary ceasefire.’
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Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Biden and Trump “fully supported Israel’s right to return to combat if it concludes that Phase B negotiations are futile.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also said he appreciated President Trump’s decision to “remove all remaining restrictions on the supply of essential arms and weapons to the State of Israel.”
