The IDF says it is preparing to receive Hamas hostages

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing to receive hostages whose release in the Gaza Strip is expected as part of an agreement with the Palestinian Hamas movement. This was reported on January 15 by the press service of the Israeli forces.

"The military's preparatory operation has been dubbed 'Wings of Freedom,'" The Times of Israel quoted the report as saying.

Earlier in the day, the Egyptian TV channel AlQahera News, citing a source, reported that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza had been reached.

Then the fact of the deal was confirmed by US President-elect Donald Trump. According to the TV channel Al Jazeera, at the first stage Palestinian groups will release 33 Israeli hostages.

The situation in the Middle East escalated in the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected the territory of Israel to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.