In a rundown of the repatriation of the remaining hostages snatched by Hamas during terror attack that killed nearly 1200 people, Bedrosian said the freed captives would then be transferred to Israeli-controlled territory in Gaza, then on to the Re’im base in southern Israel, where they would receive medical attention and be reunited with their families.
“During this time, the entire nation of Israel will embrace them and help them get back on their feet,” she said, adding Israeli forces were also ready to receive the bodies of the 28 hostages who died while in captivity, and who would be given a short ceremony in Gaza, where their coffins would be draped with flags.
Aid trucks have been seen entering Gaza to disperse food and supplies to Palestinians on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
Following Friday’s ceasefire declaration, Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Agence France-Presse the exchange was to begin Monday morning “as agreed”. But Vance brought that timeline into question when he was asked on NBC when “exactly” the hostages would be released.
“It really should be any moment now,” Vance said.
In a statement published on Sunday morning, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “prepared and ready to immediately receive all of our hostages.”
The timing has not yet been announced for the release of some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel who are to be freed under the deal. They include 250 people serving life sentences in addition to 1,700 people seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge.
Loading
Bedrosian said the Palestinian prisoners would be released once “Israel has confirmation that all of our hostages set to be released tomorrow are across the border into Israel.”
As the third day of the ceasefire held, Associated Press footage showed dozens of trucks crossing the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Red Crescent said they carried medical supplies, tents, blankets, food and fuel.
The trucks were expected to head to the inspection area in the Kerem Shalom crossing for screening by Israeli troops.
Abeer Etifa, a spokeswoman for the World Food Program, said workers were clearing roads inside Gaza Sunday to facilitate delivery.
As discussion turns to enforcing peace, Vance told NBC that while 200 US troops were already in the region to monitor the terms of the ceasefire and help ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, no American soldiers would be deployed to Gaza.
More to come
With Associated Press
