Countdown to Dawn: 20 Hostage Return Operation Set to Begin Monday Morning

The long-awaited operation to return Israeli hostages held by Hamas is expected to begin Monday morning, following 738 days since the October 7, 2023 abductions. Families have been instructed to arrive at the Re’im Camp reception zone as early as 7:30 a.m., while the IDF will be primed to start the handover within an hour of receiving word.

Sources estimate two initial waves may begin around 8:00 a.m., with a third expected about an hour later — circa 9:00 a.m. The designated exchange points are Khan Yunis, central Gaza locales, and Gaza City. It remains uncertain how many hostages will come back during Monday’s window. The bodies of captives are slated for phased return in the coming days, beginning from midday, accompanied by brief military honors in-field.

IDF Mobile Units, Red Cross, and Safeguards

The IDF is preparing for all possible contingencies, including the risk of Hamas leveraging the moment for propaganda. Though formal ceremonies by Hamas are not expected, Israeli forces are aware they may attempt to place calls to families or film the release — actions that the IDF will not actively prevent.

Under the agreement, Hamas must hand over all living and deceased hostages. Israel has made clear that if any are not returned within 72 hours, it will issue precise coordinates for burial or holding sites and demand their recovery. “We will insist on implementation,” the IDF has warned.

The troops designated for the mission have engaged in final drills and briefings. Special units will traverse into Gaza beyond the security “Yellow Line” in Eitan armored personnel carriers, backed by armored columns of tanks and infantry. These forces will reach predetermined staging areas under tight perimeter security, while airstrikes aim to isolate the handover zones and prevent interference.

At each site, Red Cross representatives will formally transfer hostages to Israeli forces. A preliminary inspection on the spot will verify identity and scan for any hidden explosives or surveillance devices. The convoy will then move to Re’im Camp, where each returnee will be placed in a separate room for medical and psychological assessment before meeting family members. From there, transport by air or land will move them to Sheba (Tel Hashomer), Ichilov (Tel Aviv), and Beilinson (Petah Tikva) hospitals for extended care and rehabilitation.

According to Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, the Red Cross convoy will consist of 8–10 vehicles, including jeeps, a minibus, and an ambulance. He emphasized that the operation is a single pulse, aiming for the simultaneous return of all living captives, rather than staggered releases. Re’im has been restructured and expanded to accommodate all families and provide privacy during reunions.

Ceasefire Holds, Political Stage is Set

The hostage operation occurs as part of a freshly enacted Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which came into effect days ago. Under the terms, Hamas is required to release hostages by noon Monday (09:00 GMT), while Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including 250 with life sentences and 1,700 held without charge.

In addition to the literal return of captives, the operation is embedded within a broader diplomatic framework. The United States, Qatar, Egypt, and other mediators have been central to brokering the agreement. 

Israel expects all 20 living hostages to be released in a single movement to the Red Cross, then transferred to Israeli territory — though the exact numbers and timing remain unconfirmed. Any hostages not returned within 72 hours will trigger further steps to locate their remains. 

Tension, Hope, and the Weight of History

For families of the kidnapped, this is a moment unlike any other — heavy with hope, dread, and decades of emotional weight. The public and global attention magnifies every detail, every delay, every risk.

As one senior Israeli official put it: “Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path — a path of building, a path of healing.” But until every hostage is safely home, the nation waits — cautiously, nervously, yet perhaps on the cusp of one of its most vital reunions in modern history.