Israel has begun its final preparations to carry out the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, as part of a swap agreement with Hamas, amid close international monitoring of the timing and procedures.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, “an Israeli helicopter landed at Re’im base as part of operational preparations,” while humanitarian aid trucks started entering Gaza, with crowds of Palestinians awaiting their arrival in areas such as Khan Yunis.

An Israeli source stated that “the army has completed all preparations for the prisoner release operation,” expecting it to conclude before US President Donald Trump’s arrival in the region, coordinating the operation with the upcoming visit.

Sources in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed that “Israel is ready to receive all hostages immediately, and the timing of the release operation was moved to nighttime hours to ensure completion before Trump’s arrival.”

Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed its readiness to begin release operations today, including Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees, with the swap involving the release of 20 Israeli hostages on Monday, marking the end of this exchange round for an indefinite period.

Palestinian sources indicated that “Israeli authorities have started gathering Palestinian prisoners in prisons in preparation for their release,” with West Bank detainees being moved to Ofer prison near Ramallah, while those to be released will be transferred to Gaza or deported outside Palestine via the Negev desert prison.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also stated that the released prisoners will be transferred through the Rafah crossing to Ketziot prison, while those deported to the West Bank will remain in Ofer prison, with Israeli authorities obliging the prisoners not to hold any celebratory events upon their release.

These preparations come as part of the final phase of the anticipated swap deal, following international mediation efforts to facilitate ending the hostage situation and achieving a step toward humanitarian stability in the Gaza Strip.