BREAKING: Hours Until Dawn Release. Gaza Hostages Expected Free by 8 A.M. [Live Stream from Tel Aviv]
The clock is ticking toward what could be one of the most significant moments in the 737-day Gaza conflict. With only hours remaining until sunrise, Israeli hostage families have been told their loved ones will begin coming home around 8 A.M. Monday morning. But as the nation holds its breath, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stark warning: "The campaign is not over."
In a late-night address to the nation ahead of the imminent release, Netanyahu cautioned that "some of our enemies are trying to regroup and attack us again," tempering hopes that the hostage deal signals an end to the devastating conflict.
Source: CNN-News18
According to multiple reports from Haaretz, the Israeli military is on high alert for possible Hamas "provocations" during the release process, including concerns that the militant group may attempt to contact hostage family members directly and record conversations for propaganda purposes. Under the cease-fire and hostage release agreement, Hamas is prohibited from holding ceremonies during the releases.
The Israeli Defense Forces have redeployed throughout Gaza and remain at "full readiness," according to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who stated forces are "prepared to strike any enemy who dares to raise its head." One scenario military officials are monitoring involves Hamas potentially allowing hostages to speak with family members by phone before their release, with recordings later distributed for propaganda.
Meanwhile, Israel's Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine is preparing for what officials acknowledge will be a lengthy and complex identification process for deceased hostages. Staff at the institute estimate that while some identifications may be completed within hours, more challenging cases could require over 24 hours of forensic work.
"Every identification is not just a technical process – it's an act of dignity and closure for the families," said a senior institute official. The facility has been reinforced with additional refrigeration units and extended laboratory shifts to handle the expected transfers.
Dr. Chen Kugel, director of the Abu Kabir Institute, expressed confidence despite the challenges ahead. "There has never been an event of this scale where 100% of the victims were identified – but in Israel, it happened. We will identify them all, but it will require patience and restraint," he said. The institute has already successfully identified 55 hostages whose bodies were previously returned to Israel.
The identification process will involve multiple forensic disciplines, including pathologists, anthropologists, radiologists, DNA experts, and dental forensics specialists from both Israeli police and military. Bodies will undergo CT scans, followed by examination by forensic pathologists, dental comparisons, and DNA analysis using reference samples already held by the institute.
On the diplomatic front, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to attend a Gaza peace summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh, according to PLO officials who stated the decision was coordinated with the United States and Egypt. Additionally, Egypt announced it is training up to 5,000 Palestinian personnel for deployment in Gaza, alongside Jordanian forces.
An international task force, established during cease-fire talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, has been formed to locate and recover bodies of Israeli hostages that Hamas may have difficulty returning. The force includes representatives from Israel, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, working with the Red Cross.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that President Donald Trump plans to meet with released hostages in person, underscoring high-level international involvement in the historic release process.
As dawn approaches, Israel and humanity wait.