The first Israeli women and children to go free from Gaza under a truce between Israel and Hamas will be flown home under military guard, with measures meant to reduce the duress and attend to any immediate medical complications, Reuters reports.
Ahead of the 4pm (1400 GMT) release of the 13 hostages, who have not been identified, Israel’s air force published images of dolls, colourful throw-rugs and personal hygiene kits set up at locations scheduled to receive them by helicopter.
A military statement asked the public to respect hostages’ privacy. After landing in Israel, they will receive preliminary medical care and be sent to several hospitals for reunions with their families.
Hamas is due to deliver the group —among around 240 people held in the Gaza Strip since Oct 7 in southern Israel— to neighbouring Egypt. In return, Israel will release 39 Palestinians from its jails.
