Trump says hostages may be freed on Monday or Tuesday; plans regional visit to mark release

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the remaining hostages held by Hamas are expected to be released “on Monday or Tuesday”, and said he still hopes to travel to the region to commemorate the event.

“I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace. Peace in the Middle East,” CNN quoted Trump as saying during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

“We secured the release of all of the remaining hostages, and they should be released on Monday or Tuesday,” Trump added.

“Getting them is a complicated process. I’d rather not tell you what they have to do to get them. There are places you don’t want to be. But we are getting the hostages back on Tuesday — Monday or Tuesday — and that’ll be a day of jo,” he said.

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Trump said he would “try and make a trip over” to the region, including stopping in Egypt for an “official signing” to mark the agreement.

As part of the broader initiative, Trump also indicated that Gaza would be “slowly redone,” hinting at future reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged enclave, though he did not elaborate on specifics.

According to the agreement, Hamas is expected to release the 20 living hostages together, 72 hours after the ceasefire formally takes effect.

With inputs from agencies