From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 30, 2025
IDF gearing up for possibility of hostage releases in more than one location
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF is preparing for Hamas to hand over the hostages to the Red Cross from around 9 a.m., though there could be delays.
The IDF has prepared for the scenario where the hostages are released in more than one location in Gaza, including in the Strip’s south, as well as the possibility that the separate releases could be at different hours.
The hostages being freed today after 482 days in captivity are surveillance soldier Agam Berger, Israeli civilians Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes, and five Thai nationals.
All eight hostages will be escorted out of the Gaza Strip by the IDF, and taken to a facility near Re’im for an initial medical checkup.
The families of the three Israeli hostages will be waiting for them at the army facility.
All eight will then be taken to hospitals in central Israel.
If any of the hostages require urgent medical care, the IDF will airlift them straight from Gaza to a hospital in southern Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.