Vance says Hamas could release Israeli hostages ‘any moment now’

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza could be released “any time now,” before Monday’s deadline, as part of the first phase of a peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

“It really should happen any moment now,” the vice president told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” when asked about the timing of the hostages’ release.

“The President of the United States plans to travel to the Middle East to receive the hostages Monday morning Middle East time,” Vance added. “Which should be late, you know, Sunday night, or very early Monday morning here in the United States.”

The vice president stressed that “we cannot say exactly when they will be released, but we hope – this is why the president is leaving – that he will receive the hostages early next week.”

Trump is expected to travel to the Middle East later Sunday for a whirlwind trip to Israel and Egypt to oversee the start of the first phase of a peace deal that the Trump administration helped broker between Israel and Hamas.

After a ceasefire began Friday as part of the first phase of the peace deal, Israel began preparing to release the hostages within the next 72 hours, a deadline that expires Monday at noon local time, or 5 a.m. Eastern Time.

There are 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, of whom Israel estimates 20 are alive.

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also predicted the release of the Israeli hostages ahead of schedule.

“I think [Hamas] might even start posting them tonight. So, sooner than expected,” Haskel said, later adding, “We really hope to see them as quickly as possible.” »

The Israeli government approved the terms of the first phase of a peace deal on Friday, just over two years after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage. Since then, more than 67,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

The plan includes the release of all remaining Israeli hostages as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees currently held in Israel.

The plan is also expected to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, although broader questions regarding the long-term leadership and governance of the Gaza Strip remain.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the plans told NBC News that the U.S. military is preparing to send 200 U.S. troops to Israel to support the stabilization of Gaza and help oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid in the region.

Asked about NBC News’ reporting Sunday, the vice president said the plan would not include ground troops in Israel or Gaza.

“We have no intention of putting troops on the ground,” Vance said. “What we already have is a U.S. central command. We already have people in this region of the world. They’re going to monitor the terms of the ceasefire. They’re going to monitor to make sure that humanitarian aid is flowing.”

“Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker pressed Vance: “Will U.S. troops ever be sent to Gaza?

Trump “does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in Gaza or Israel,” he said.