Following the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the Israeli army set up an operation, called “Kanfei Dror” or “Wings of Freedom » in French, in order to prepare for the return of the hostages.
This Wednesday, January 15, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages held since the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement on October 7, 2023 on the soil of the Hebrew state.
Indeed, out of 251 people kidnapped that day, 94 are still held hostage in Gaza, of whom 34 are dead, according to the Israeli army. The agreement concluded today and which will come into force on Sunday provides, according to the Qatari Prime Minister, for the release of 33 Israelis during the first phase.
In fact, the Israeli army launched an operation, called “Kanfei Dror” in Hebrew, or “Wings of Freedom” in French, in order to facilitate the return of the hostages to Israel and to take care of them.
“’Wings of Freedom’ is the name given to the IDF’s preparations for the return of the hostages,” the IDF wrote on its X account.
As part of this system, the Israeli army will set up special reception centers in Reim and Kerem Shalom. These aim to welcome the hostages before their transfer to hospitals, according to our colleagues at i24 News.
Psychologists as well as support officers will be present in these centers. Once there, the hostages will be able to shower and change. They will then be examined by specialists to determine which hospital to refer them to.
Also note that the first phase of the agreement will primarily concern women and children. They will be released in exchange for a thousand Palestinians detained by Israel, according to two sources close to the negotiations to AFP.
The second phase will concern the release of the last hostages, “the soldiers and men of age to be mobilized”, as well as the return of the bodies of the dead hostages, according to the Times of Israel.
An Israeli official, however, warned Tuesday that Israel would “not leave Gaza until all the hostages have returned, the living and the dead.”
