Vance says Hamas may release the Israeli hostages at any moment now

Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday that the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza could be released “any moment now,” ahead of a deadline on Monday, as part of the first phase of the peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

“It should be any minute now,” the vice president told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” when asked about the timing of the hostage release.

Vance added, “The President of the United States intends to travel to the Middle East to receive the hostages on Monday morning, Middle Eastern time.” “Which would have to be late, you know, Sunday night, or very early Monday morning here in the United States.”

The Vice President stressed that “you cannot determine the exact moment when they will be released, but we have every expectation – and that is why the president will go – that he will receive the hostages early next week.”

Trump is expected to travel to the Middle East later Sunday on a quick trip to Israel and Egypt to oversee the beginning of the first phase of the peace agreement that the Trump administration helped negotiate between Israel and Hamas.

After the ceasefire began on Friday as part of the first phase of the peace agreement, Israel began preparing to release the hostages within the next 72 hours, a deadline that expires at noon local time on Monday, or 5 a.m. Eastern time.

There are still 48 hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom Israel believes are alive.

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharyn Haskell also predicted that the Israeli hostages would be released sooner than expected.

“I guess [Hamas] He may even start releasing them tonight. “So, earlier than expected,” Haskell said, later adding, “We’re really hoping to see them as soon as possible.”