Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is “ready and prepared for the immediate reception of all our hostages,” amid mounting signs that the long-awaited release of captives held in Gaza could begin as early as tonight.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that security and medical teams have completed the final phase of preparations to receive the hostages at designated bases and hospitals across the country. The announcement comes as negotiators work to finalize the first stage of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal with Hamas, which includes the release of roughly 48 remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners.

An Israeli official told Kan that the IDF expect the hostages to be back on Israeli soil by the time U.S. President Donald Trump lands in Israel on Monday morning.

“The IDF has completed its preparations for the release of the hostages and assesses that all of them will be released before Trump’s arrival,” the official said, adding that coordination with American and Egyptian mediators is ongoing to ensure the transfer proceeds without delay.

If the timeline holds, the return of the hostages could coincide with Trump’s high-profile visit to Jerusalem, where he is expected to deliver a brief address to the Knesset before departing later in the day — marking a symbolic moment in the fragile truce’s implementation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)