White House assesses that hostage releases will begin on Monday, official says

By Jacob Magid

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9 October 2025, 5:30 pm Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip hold posters with portraits of their loved ones during a protest demanding their immediate release and calling for a ceasefire, in Jerusalem, October 7, 2025, on the second anniversary of Hamas' cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A senior White House official says the Trump administration’s most up-to-date assessment is that the hostages held in Gaza will begin being released on Monday.

In a statement sent to querying reporters, the White House official says that once the Israeli cabinet approves the hostage deal later today, Israel will withdraw to the agreed upon line inside Gaza, in a process that should take less than 24 hours.

“Then the 72 hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday,” the statement says, with the “go” apparently referring to retrieving and releasing the hostages.