IDF readies to receive hostages returning from Gaza

The Israeli government approved the hostage deal at 1 a.m. on Saturday after over seven hours of debate, Walla reported.

Twenty-four ministers voted in favor, and eight ministers voted against.

The Hostage Directorate in the Prime Minister's Office announced on Monday that they are routinely prepared fro any possible deal, in press release.

"In recent weeks, the Directorate has conducted a number of preparedness exercises for various scenarios, with the participation of the relevant government ministries and other professional bodies, and has ensured that they are prepared to handle the returnees and their families."

"The media and the public are asked to respect the privacy of the families at this complex time."

"The Directorate maintains continuous contact with the families regarding new updates on the negotiations and will continue to support the families of the hostages in the hope and prayer that they will all return home soon."

A Hamas source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Monday evening that the mediators had sent them a draft ceasefire agreement, and if there were no major changes, the response would be positive.

The source said that Hamas's central meeting will be held this evening to discuss the draft agreement they received. He stressed that "if there is no infringement on the essential points that concern us, the response will be positive."

Hamas has not yet sent its final answer on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

In response to statements from Israeli political figures, Hamas, and those with knowledge of the hostage negotiations that a hostage deal is imminent, Israeli political figures from across the spectrum have begun weighing in on Monday.

Hamas has ordered its troops to remain on high alert and maintain the highest level of security due to an intensification of Israeli intelligence operations in the Gaza Strip leading up to a possible hostage deal, according to a report in Ashraq al-Awsat on Monday.

The goal is to protect Hamas members from being targeted by Israeli assassinations ahead of the expected ceasefire agreement.

Hamas's leadership issued strict instructions to field commanders and military activists not to appear in public and to reduce movements, including on foot or in any vehicles unless there is an urgent security necessity that requires it, Ashraq al-Awsat reported.

MK Yakov Asher (Degel Hatorah-United Torah Judaism) said in the Interior Committee deliberations on Monday, referring to the emerging deal, that the hostages should be released "as much as possible, as quickly as possible, and saved as much as possible. The people of Israel need to bring the people home."

The Biden administration sees a possible Gaza agreement as soon as this week, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan told Bloomberg News on Monday, adding that there were no guarantees that the parties would agree to such a deal.

Sullivan, speaking to Bloomberg in an interview, added that US President Joe Biden's administration has been in contact with incoming President Donald Trump's team on the issue.

Mediators gave Israel and Hamas a final draft of a hostage release and Gaza ceasefire deal on Monday, an official briefed on the negotiations said, after a "breakthrough" in talks attended by envoys of both US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump.

Ninety-eight hostages remain in Gaza. They include Israelis and foreigners, civilians and soldiers, men, women, two children, and the elderly. Around half of them are believed to be alive. 

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The head of the Benjamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Gantz, sent a letter on Monday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposing the release of terrorists as part of the deal being formed with Hamas.

The Yesha Council is an umbrella organization that represents the municipal councils of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.