The formal start of the countdown for the return of 48 hostages held by Hamas for over two years, and the cessation of the brutal conflict in Gaza, is set for Thursday morning. This follows the anticipated assembly and approval of the deal, which was brokered overnight, by both the Knesset and the Israeli government.
Upon the government’s endorsement of the agreement—facilitated by Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish, and U.S. mediators—Hamas will have a 72-hour window to release all 20 hostages believed to be alive, alongside 28 deceased individuals. This release is stipulated to occur “in one fell swoop and without public ceremonies,” according to terms cited by the Israeli press agency TPS-IL.
However, uncertainty persists regarding Hamas’s ability to meet this deadline. Over the weekend, the group raised concerns about the difficulty of quickly locating all deceased bodies, with some reportedly buried under rubble.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are slated to begin withdrawing to a pre-agreed line with Hamas within 24 hours of the government’s approval. Yet, the IDF will maintain a presence in 53% of the Gaza Strip until all hostages, both living and deceased, have been repatriated.
Jerusalem also plans to authorize the release of approximately 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 2023 attacks, in addition to about 250 Palestinians currently serving life sentences. This is part of the initial phase of the plan introduced by President late last month.
Israeli officials, as reported by TPS-IL, have indicated that this prisoner release will not include members of Hamas’s Nukhba force, which participated in the Oct. 7 attacks, nor prominent Hamas commanders identified as “symbols of terrorist organizations.”
Some of the hostages could be freed as early as Saturday. Preparations are already underway to receive these individuals, who have endured horrific conditions, including starvation, torture, and a lack of medical care, for the past 733 days.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the plan, urging his government to approve the agreement’s specifics. In a statement on X, he declared, “With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.”
“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point,” he added. “I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”
All living hostages are anticipated to be returned to Israel by Sunday, with the repatriation of the deceased commencing on Monday.
A trauma-focused plan has reportedly been developed to aid the hostages’ recovery from their confinement. Officials are preparing for the possibility that the physical and mental condition of those involved in this exchange may be even more delicate and complex than in prior hostage returns.
Rooms at the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv have been readied to receive the hostages. These facilities offer not only the necessary medical and psychological support but also ensure complete privacy and a home-like environment for their stay.
The recovery program for the hostages is structured into five stages, drawing on professional experience and insights gained from previous abductions. These stages include preliminary reception preparations, the initial 24-hour hospital period post-release, a customized hospital stay duration, a transition phase lasting up to one month, and long-term support, according to details provided by TPS-IL.
Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on Sunday.