Israel develops plan to return hostages: It consists of five stages
The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel has developed a clear five-step plan according to which the hostages will be released and transferred to Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a government meeting to discuss the hostage release plan and stated that the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip would persist until all Israeli objectives are met.
These objectives comprise eradicating the Hamas group, freeing all hostages, and establishing assurances that there will be no future threat to Israel's security from the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu announced that they are currently at war to continue until all objectives are met. Despite the challenging decision ahead, they are certain that it is the right one and are committed to ensuring the safe return of everyone involved. The process of hostage return will occur in stages.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the necessity for "important decisions" to be made by ministers within the upcoming hours and days.
The hostage return plan will follow a specific protocol
Firstly, Hamas will give the hostages to the Red Cross, who will then pass them on to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials. Following this, the authorities will provide an initial medical examination to the hostages, and they will be taken to one of five secluded medical centers in Israel to reunite with their families.
In the fourth stage, the medical and defense ministries will collaborate to determine whether or not interrogation of some of the hostages is necessary.
In the last phase of the operation, the security and defense ministries will interrogate a portion of the hostages.
Israel's war with Hamas
In early October, Hamas militants executed a widespread incursion into Israel. They murdered and abducted both soldiers and civilians. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military action against the Iron Swords militants.
As part of the operation, the IDF expanded its ground mission across the Gaza Strip, deploying troops and equipment to the area. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, Hamas no longer controls the northern section of the Gaza Strip, as tens of thousands of individuals have crossed into the southern region.