Over 24 Hours Into Ceasefire
Hostage Release Tomorrow?! - Here's what we know
Israel expects releases to begin Monday, but Hamas may accelerate timeline ahead of Trump visit; group rejects disarmament demands while deploying fighters and appointing new military governors across Gaza.
More than a day has passed since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, yet a clear timetable for the release of hostages is still uncertain. Israeli officials estimate that the operation will begin Monday, possibly in the early morning, but do not rule out Hamas surprising authorities by starting the release as early as Sunday. Reports suggest the move is aimed at completing the return of all living hostages and the remains of the fallen before U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Israel.
According to Al Jazeera:
Hamas is required to release all living hostages by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, alongside the bodies of the fallen where possible, without public ceremonies or media coverage.
Hamas will coordinate with a joint operations center responsible for overseeing the agreement, arranging handover times, and addressing any issues that arise during the process. A new mechanism will be established to exchange information on the hostages between Israel and Hamas, mediated by international brokers and the Red Cross.
The release will be conducted via the Red Cross, with the Egyptian delegation and Red Cross representatives visiting Ofer and Ketziot prisons to verify the names of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release.
Inside Hamas, conflicting statements have emerged regarding the implementation of the agreement. A senior official told local media that the disarmament of Hamas, a key part of the U.S. plan, “is out of the question.” He added, “The weapons of the resistance will not be handed over, and we will under no circumstances give them up.”
Meanwhile, thousands of armed Hamas terrorists have already deployed throughout Gaza. Israeli sources say the group is preparing to transfer hostages to central collection points ahead of their return. According to the agreement, living hostages will be returned first, possibly all at once via the Red Cross, followed by the remains of those killed. Security officials, however, warn that Hamas could disrupt or delay the handover of the bodies.
Tensions also remain over the prisoner release list. Of the 250 terrorists approved for release from Israel, only 195 are classified as long-term prisoners. Israeli authorities maintain the list is final and has been approved by both the government and international mediators.
Palestinian sources told the BBC that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff requested the release of seven additional senior prisoners, including Ahmad Sa’adat and Marwan Barghouti, but Israel refused.
Despite the disputes, Israeli officials emphasize that Hamas is under intense pressure from Washington and moderate Arab states and has little incentive to sabotage the agreement. “All sides understand there is no turning back. Everyone will do everything to make the deal succeed,” said an informed source.
Families of the hostages have received personal updates from intelligence officers regarding their loved ones. An international task force responsible for locating the hostages and the fallen is set to begin operations immediately after the release.
Medical teams will be on-site to manage the complex conditions of the 20 living hostages, who are expected to return in critical condition and will be immediately transported to hospitals across Israel.
Ahead of President Trump’s visit, 200 U.S. soldiers have already arrived in Israel to participate in a special coordination center to manage Gaza-related issues. On Monday, the president is scheduled to fly from Israel to Egypt to take part in a symbolic signing ceremony for the agreement, attended by European leaders. No official Israeli representative has been invited to the ceremony.
According to the BBC, Hamas has recalled roughly 7,000 security personnel to areas recently vacated by Israeli troops and appointed five new governors, all with military backgrounds. The group also announced a general mobilization aimed at “purging Gaza of collaborators and lawbreakers.”