Families wait as captives set to be released

ISRAELI families were last night waiting for the reunion they feared would never happen, as Hamas prepared to release the last 20 living hostages from October 7.

- By CHRIS HUGHES in Tel Aviv Pictures by ANDY STENNING

Hospitals were being prepared to receive the captives, who are expected to be starving and wounded when they are handed over.

Israeli forces are on alert in case Hamas tries to hijack the hostage release, but the ceasefire which began on Friday is still holding.

The hope in Israel is reflected on the other side of the border, as Gazans begin to rebuild their lives after two years of devastating attacks.

Dozens of aid trucks began entering Gaza on Sunday morning, with images showing queues of lorries at the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Tens of thousands of refugees displaced by Israeli strikes are expected to return to what remains of their homes in the flattened Strip.

Nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners are also due to be released as part of the ceasefire deal.

The operation in Gaza to collect the surviving hostages has been going on since the deal was agreed last week, with Hamas and Islamic Jihad keen to disguise where they had held them.

Last night, it was expected by Israeli sources that hostages would be handed over early this morning - although officials said they were prepared to receive them hours sooner.

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