Hamas have begun congregating in Gaza City ahead of the planned release of Israeli hostages in the second week of the ceasefire, according to a Reuters alert.
The handover is imminent with hundreds of terrorists occupying the square, according to Al Jazeera. The four hostages have reportedly yet to arrive. The Qatari state media source also said that there are more Hamas terrorists physically at the location of the hostage swap than the one on Sunday.
⭕ LIVE: Hamas is set to release four Israeli captives held in Gaza. https://t.co/vjXQ0wSN8g
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 25, 2025
Israel estimates that preparations will begin in Gaza in the coming hours to return the hostages Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Albag, and Naama Levy, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday morning, citing a security source.
A team from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza were on the way on Saturday to collect Israeli hostages from Hamas, an official involved in the operation told Reuters.
According to reports, Red Cross vehicles have entered southern Gaza to retrieve the hostages. The hostages’ parents are waiting for them at the IDF base in Kibbutz Re’im, Israeli media reported.
Separately on Saturday morning, the IDF stated that it had completed preparations to return the hostages from the Gaza Strip to Israel.
The IDF’s Manpower Directorate and Medical Corps have established initial absorption points where immediate medical care and personal support will be provided to the released hostages, the military noted.
After that, the former hostages will proceed to hospitals and reunite with their families.
Process in preparing to retrieve the hostages
IDF Col. (res.) Sharon Nakash, who is also the commanding officer in the Operation “Wings of Freedom,” the name of the initiative to return Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, said, “Amid all of this, I can say that we are all excited.
Footage of the IDF’s preparations for the second phase of the release of the hostages. January 25, 2024. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
“Reservists and regular soldiers feel they are doing the most important work. It is both a privilege and our moral duty to do this. I believe the preparations we have made so far will reflect our ability to carry out the mission properly and bring our songs and daughters back home in a proper and respectful way.”
This is a developing story.
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