Trump to greet Israel hostages after Hamas release: Vance

President Donald Trump plans to “personally” welcome Israeli hostages released from Gaza by the terrorist group Hamas, Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday.

Trump is scheduled to fly to Israel on Sunday afternoon.

Vance confirms report Wall StreetJournal Hamas says it has 20 live hostages

Vance said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the hostages could be released “at any time.”

“We plan to greet the hostages on Monday morning Middle Eastern time, which should be late Sunday night or very early Monday morning in the United States,” Trump said.

The planned release of the hostages comes just days after the Israeli government approved the first phase of a peace deal with Hamas.

Hamas took nearly 250 people hostage in an attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023, sparking a two-year war that has devastated the Palestinian territories.

Vance called the release of the hostages “a tremendous thing.”

“Of course it’s great for their families,” he said. “But I think it really shows what happens when you step outside the traditional diplomatic paths that have failed and really try something new.”

In a separate appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Vance said he did not expect Israel to be able to retrieve the remains of the dead hostages from Hamas.

“I think eventually we’ll get most of the bodies, but we won’t get them all,” Vance said.

This is developing news. Check back for updates.