Israel readied multiple hospitals on Monday to receive hostages freed under a ceasefire agreement it reached with Hamas.
The Israeli military said Monday morning that seven hostages are now in Israeli custody after over two years of captivity in the Gaza Strip, with the remaining 13 hostages expected to be released later in the day.
Four major hospitals are standing by to receive the released hostages, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.
The Sheba Medical Center in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel's largest medical institution, is expected to receive 10 freed hostages, who will be flown in by helicopters.
Security has been raised to the highest level at the hospital, with access tightly controlled by police, volunteers and staff on patrol duty.
The Sheba Medical Center had previously been used to receive 46 hostages freed by Hamas in late 2023. It later opened a specialized rehab unit offering psychological therapy for captives and their families.
The ceasefire followed days of negotiations in Egypt that included a prisoner exchange and plans to reopen border crossings and allow aid into Gaza.
Under the agreement, Israel is expected to halt fighting and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip, while Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli hospitals prepare to receive hostages freed under ceasefire
