Emotional Moment: Families of Three Hostages Informed of Their Expected Release Today

After delays in receiving the list of hostages expected to be released today (Sunday), Hamas submitted the names at 10:00 AM, which were confirmed by Israeli officials shortly after. At 11:15 AM, the Prime Minister’s Office announced: “As per the terms of the hostage release agreement, the first phase ceasefire in Gaza will take effect.”

Hostage Release Plan and Timeline

Following the announcement, Shachaf Gonen, the brother of hostage Romi Gonen, shared an emotional Instagram story: “Romi is on the list. Official. Good luck to all of us.” Later, the families of Emily Damari and Doron Steinbracher also received confirmation of their loved ones’ release, scheduled for after 4:00 PM today.

An additional four hostages are scheduled for release in seven days, with families receiving notification of their names 24 hours before the next stage. Over the initial 42-day phase, 33 hostages will be freed, including women such as the surveillance officers abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost, children, elderly men over 50, and those who are ill or injured but not combatants. This phase also marks the long-awaited return of Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in Gaza for over a decade.

Stepping Out in Faith: Witnessing God’s Miraculous Deliverance

The return of the hostages from Gaza is a miraculous sign of God’s enduring love and care for His people. While the negotiators worked tirelessly, it is ultimately God’s hand that brings them home. This moment echoes the story of the Children of Israel standing at the banks of the Jordan River, waiting to cross into the Promised Land. They had to take the first step into the water before God could deliver them in a miraculous way: “As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.” – Joshua 3:15.

Operation “Wings of Freedom”: A Nation Prepares

The IDF has established reception points at Re’im, Kerem Shalom, and Erez to provide medical and mental health support to returning hostages. From there, they will be transferred to hospitals like Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, where staff are prepared to offer care and assistance. Other hospitals have also prepared to receive hostages in parallel.

Watch IDF preparations to bring hostages home:

Israel’s Strengthened Defensive Strategy Following Hostage Deal

As part of the agreement, the IDF will retain control of buffer zones along the Gaza border while gradually withdrawing from populated areas. The redeployment along the Philadelphi Route is expected to conclude by Day 50, provided hostilities do not resume.

A newly developed defense strategy aims to fortify Israel’s border with Gaza. Troops will remain stationed along clearly defined defensive lines, with residents prohibited from returning to areas near the border where military operations are ongoing. The IDF stressed its readiness to respond to any threats: “We are prepared along clear defensive lines and ready to neutralize any threats. Any attack on our forces will be met with an aggressive response.”

Commitment to Security

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi outlined the reinforced defense plan: “In the coming days, the IDF will implement a preplanned, strengthened defense strategy for the Gaza border, combining both defensive and offensive measures. In our commitment to the Israeli public—a commitment we failed to uphold on October 7—we are determined to stand firm and ensure such a horrific, brutal event never happens again. Our combat operations have already created a new reality on the ground.”