Israeli hostages could be released ‘at any time’, says US vice president

Israeli government approves American peace plan The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, said this Sunday (12) that the Israeli hostages could be released from Gaza “at any time”. “It should be any day now,” the vice president told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program when asked when the release of the hostages by the Palestinian Hamas movement could occur. ✅ Follow g1’s international news channel on WhatsApp “We hope to see them alive here in the next 24 hours, probably early tomorrow morning US time, which will be later that day, of course, in Israel,” he later added on ABC’s “This Week.” Asked on CBS’s “Face the Nation” whether Washington is committed to continuing pressure to stabilize the Middle East, Vance responded: “That will require constant influence and pressure from the president of the United States downwards.” In a series of Sunday interviews, Vance also emphasized that the 200 American troops deployed to Israel will be tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Gaza and clarified that they were never intended to serve in any type of combat role. Vance reiterated that no American troops will be deployed in Palestinian territory. “This ranges from ensuring that Israeli troops are to the agreed line, to ensuring that Hamas does not attack innocent Israelis, to doing everything possible to ensure that the peace we have created is maintained and endures,” Vance told ABC. “But the idea of ​​having troops in Gaza, in Israel, is not our intention, it is not our plan.” Exchange of hostages and prisoners The peace agreement in Gaza depends on both parties honoring their commitment to exchange Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. There will be 48 Israeli hostages (20 living and 28 dead) in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans detained by Israel since the start of the war. Hamas said it would release the Israeli hostages on Monday morning, ahead of the deadline, which ends at noon (6 am in Brasília), in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement proposed by Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes his country can celebrate a “day of national joy” on Monday night once the living and deceased hostages in captivity are returned. US Vice President JD Vance during a meeting in Paris REUTERS/Leah Millis

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