Trump is expected to arrive in Israel and personally welcome freed hostages Monday, part of a deal tied to the first phase of a new peace agreement.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to greet Israeli hostages in person after they are released by Hamas, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday.
Trump is set to travel to Israel on Sunday afternoon and plans to “meet the hostages on Monday morning, according to Middle Eastern time,” which translates to late Sunday night or early Monday morning in the United States, as Vance shared in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
This visit aligns with an agreement between Israel and Hamas involving the liberation of 20 hostages. During Sunday’s interview, Vance mentioned their release is anticipated “momentarily.”
“This is obviously wonderful news for their families,” he noted. “However, it also highlights the effectiveness of trying innovative approaches outside the typical unsuccessful diplomatic strategies.”
The release is occurring after Israel greenlit the initial phase of a peace accord with Hamas, following a two-year conflict. This began when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in roughly 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages taken. In Israel’s subsequent offensive, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 67,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
Competing demands remain on the next steps, casting uncertainty on whether the conflict is indeed over.
Israel demands that Hamas disarm, while Hamas seeks the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all of Gaza. The fate of Gaza’s government, which has been under Hamas control for two decades, remains undetermined.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t separate civilian from combatant casualties, states about half of the 67,600 deaths were women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas government, and the U.N., along with numerous independent experts, regard its figures as the most credible source of casualty data during the conflict.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
