IDF says it finished preparations to receive hostages, expanded Re’im facility where they are first brought to

The IDF says it has completed its preparations for the return of the hostages set to be released by Hamas after more than two years of captivity in the Gaza Strip.

As part of the preparations by the Personnel Directorate and Technology and Logistics Directorate, a facility at the IDF’s Re’im base — where released hostages have been brought to previously — has been expanded, the IDF says.

At the Re’im facility, the released hostages will undergo an initial physical and mental health checkup, and reunite with family members.

The IDF has said it is prepared to handle the simultaneous release of all 20 living hostages if Hamas chooses to free them all together.

Later, the hostages and their families will be taken to hospitals in central Israel for additional treatment and to meet other family members.

Hostages requiring immediate medical attention will be airlifted to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba without going through the Re’im facility.

⁠The bodies of slain hostages are set to be received by troops in Gaza, where a small ceremony, led by a military rabbi, will be held in their honor. They will then be taken to be identified by forensic experts.