^{Photo: BBC}

Washington — President Donald Trump is set to personally greet Israeli hostages following their imminent release by Hamas from Gaza, Vice President JD Vance confirmed Sunday. Trump is scheduled to fly to Israel later in the day to meet the freed captives.

Vance, speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” confirmed that Hamas currently holds 20 living hostages. “The hostages will be released at any moment now,” he said. Trump plans to meet the hostages Monday morning local time in Israel, which corresponds to late Sunday night or very early Monday morning in the United States.

The announcement comes after Israel’s government approved the first phase of a peace arrangement with Hamas, aimed at facilitating the release of hostages and reducing tensions following the conflict that began on October 7, 2023.

Background on the Hostage Crisis

Hamas took approximately 250 individuals hostage during its attack on Israel in October 2023, triggering a two-year conflict that has heavily impacted Gaza and surrounding regions. The release of the hostages is being described by Vance as “a monumental thing,” not only for the families but as a demonstration of unconventional diplomatic efforts.

“It’s great, of course, for their families,” Vance said. “But I really do think that it shows what happens when you go outside the traditional failed diplomatic routes and actually try something new.”

While the release is a significant development, Vance noted in a separate interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” that Israel may not recover the remains of all deceased hostages. “I think that we will eventually get most of the bodies, but we won’t get all of them,” he added.

Trump’s Upcoming Visit

The President’s planned visit to Israel underscores the high-profile nature of this release. Trump’s direct involvement is expected to highlight U.S. support for Israel and signal an active role in addressing the humanitarian aspects of the conflict. Officials have not yet confirmed the logistics of the meeting or the exact timing of Trump’s arrival in Israel.

The release of the hostages is seen as a pivotal moment in the broader peace efforts between Israel and Hamas, potentially setting a precedent for further negotiations and humanitarian measures in the region.