Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Sheba Medical Center on Friday to examine preparations for the upcoming release of hostages.
The Prime Minister's Office announced that during his visit, Netanyahu also met with wounded IDF soldiers. "You are heroes. You have saved the State of Israel and uplifted our spirit,” he told them.
“I am excited about the mental strength that you all mobilize for personal and national rehabilitation. Seeing you fills me with strength and boundless gratitude".
After arriving at the designated area where the hostages would be received, Netanyahu praised the readiness of the medical teams preparing for the arrival of the hostages.
Alongside the prime minister were his chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, and Director General of the Sheba Medical Center Prof. Yitshak Kreiss.
Hostages to be released in single batch
Twenty living hostages are expected to be released within 72 hours of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which US President Donald Trump said had been reached early Thursday morning.
The plan was signed at noon in Egypt, and will come into effect after the Israeli government ratifies it in a vote set for 6 p.m. on Thursday.
A source from the terror group told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that all of the hostages will be released in a single batch during the first phase of the deal.
Additionally, Arab reports indicated that Hamas had begun collecting the remains of deceased hostages to return to Israel. However, Israel has doubts that Hamas can locate all of them, which may cause delays in the return.