The Israel Defense Forces, in coordination with the Health Ministry, other government ministries and security services, completed final preparations on Saturday to receive the first hostage released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Preparations include providing the hostages with home-like conditions inside the trailer, allowing them to sleep before heading to the hospital for examination, as well as all the comforts of home, including a basket of toiletries and clean clothes.
Inside the trailer, the hostages will be decorated with sofas and potted plants. Outside, they can sit on outdoor patio furniture outfitted with colorful oversized pillows.
Necessary medical facilities are also available at the reception site.
What to know about the hostages and the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that will begin on Sunday
The hostage reception location is set up to give a homely feel. (Israel Defense Forces)
From there, the hostages will be taken to hospitals where they will be reunited with their families.
The Israel Defense Forces said it asked the public to exercise "patience and sensitivity" as the hostages are returned.
"We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the hostages and their families," the IDF said. "The public is asked to refer only to official updates and announcements and not to share unverified information."
Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire, hostage release agreement: "Americans will be involved"
An IDF soldier prepares at the site where the hostages are expected to arrive on Sunday. (Israel Defense Forces)
Since Hamas's unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, these hostages have been held by Hamas for nearly 500 days.
Three hostages are expected to be released first on Sunday after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire on Wednesday.
IDF personnel prepare at various locations and hospitals where the hostages will arrive. (Israel Defense Forces)
The first hostages to be released are expected to be women.
A total of 33 hostages, including two Americans, will be released. Israel will deport more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would not move forward with the outlines of the deal until it received a list of hostages to be released. This was agreed after Qatar failed to deliver names as expected on Saturday.
"Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement," he said. “The only responsibility lies with Hamas.
“In...the war, we made it clear to our enemies — we made it clear to the world — that when the people of Israel stand together, no force can destroy us.
Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages. (Israel Defense Forces)
"To date, we have brought home 157 abductees, 117 of whom are still alive. Under the agreement now approved, we will bring back 33 more brothers and sisters, most of whom are still alive."
He also credited President Biden and President-elect Trump for helping broker the ceasefire.
"As soon as he was elected, President Trump joined the mission to free the hostages," Netanyahu said. "He spoke to me on Wednesday night. He welcomed the deal and he rightly emphasized that the first step in the deal is A temporary ceasefire. That's what he calls a temporary ceasefire."
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Netanyahu said Biden and Trump "will fully support Israel's right to return to fighting if it concludes that Phase B negotiations are futile."
Netanyahu also said he appreciated Trump's decision to "remove all remaining restrictions on the supply of basic weapons and armaments to the State of Israel."