The Israeli army said on Saturday (18) that it had completed preparations to receive hostages expected to be released from the Gaza Strip under the terms of a ceasefire agreement that will come into force this Sunday (19).
The efforts were coordinated by the Israeli Army, the Ministry of Health, additional government ministries and security authorities, who prepared to receive the hostages upon their return to Israel with “professional and optimal care and to provide them with all necessary support”, said a statement issued by Israeli forces.
The Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva also prepared a special wing to care for the hostages upon their arrival.
Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas this Saturday local time, which involves the release of hostages held by the Iran-backed group in the Gaza Strip.
The three-phase deal is expected to halt a 15-month war between Israel and Hamas that has decimated the Gaza Strip, killed thousands of Palestinians and destabilized the Middle East.
The ceasefire in Gaza is expected to come into effect at 3:30 am, Brasília time, this Sunday. The White House expects three hostages to be released to Israel in the afternoon local time by the Red Cross.
33 of the remaining 98 Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and sick and injured prisoners, are expected to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire. In return, Israel must release nearly 2,000 Palestinians from its prisons.
Understand the conflict in the Gaza Strip
Israel has carried out intense airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since 2023, after Hamas invaded the country and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli counts. Furthermore, the radical group holds dozens of hostages.
Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state and claims Israeli territory for Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly promised to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and recover people detained in Gaza.
In addition to the air offensive, the Israeli Army carries out land incursions into Palestinian territory. This caused much of Gaza’s population to be displaced.
The UN and several humanitarian institutions have warned of a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, with a lack of food, medicine and the spread of diseases.
This content was originally published in Israeli hospitals prepare to receive freed hostages on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
