Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday that the remaining Israeli hostages inside the Gaza Strip could be released at “any moment now” ahead of a Monday deadline as part of the U.S.-brokered peace plan between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
President Trump is planning to travel to the Middle East and greet the hostages early Monday there.
“Which should be late, you know, Sunday night, or very early Monday morning here in the United States,” Mr. Vance told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
“You can’t say exactly the moment they will be released, but we have every expectation — that’s why the president is going — that he will be greeting the hostages early next week,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is finalizing plans for Operation Return to their Borders, the Israel Defense Forces’ mission to receive the hostages.
“I toured the dedicated facility where the returnees will be received. I saw the dedication, professionalism, and full preparedness of the medical teams awaiting them and their family members,” Mr. Netanyahu posted Sunday on X. “The State of Israel is ready and prepared to receive our dear ones in a great embrace. The entire people of Israel stand behind them — with one heart and one faith — bringing everyone home.”
The IDF confirmed Sunday that its troops are redeploying outside main cities in the Gaza Strip in accordance with the framework of the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages.
“The troops continue operating in the area to remove any immediate threat to the soldiers, to the residents of the State of Israel, and particularly to the residents of the western Negev,” IDF officials posted on Telegram.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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