Vice President JD Vance confirmed Sunday that Hamas has said it is holding 20 living hostages who are expected to be released within the next 24 hours.
Speaking with the media with co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, Vance said the U.S. has received confirmation but is awaiting final verification once the hostages are seen alive.
“Of course, you don’t know until you see these people alive. But thank God we expect to see them alive in the next 24 hours — probably early tomorrow morning, U.S. time,” Vance said.
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Vance added that President Donald Trump will travel to Israel and Egypt later Sunday to mark the expected release and meet with hostage families at the Israeli Knesset on Monday.
“We are on the cusp of true peace in the Middle East. These 20 hostages are going home to their families. It’s a great moment for our country — and for the world,” he said.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report Hamas’s confirmation of the 20 living hostages.
U.S. Role in Monitoring Ceasefire
The Vice President also addressed reports about U.S. troop deployments to Israel. Vance clarified that no new combat forces are entering Gaza, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
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“That story was misreported. We already have troops at U.S. Central Command — they’ve been there for decades,” Vance said. “They’re going to monitor the ceasefire, ensure both sides uphold their commitments, and make sure the peace endures.”
A U.S. official told the media that roughly 200 troops will assist with logistics, planning, transportation, engineering, and security to support the implementation of the ceasefire.
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Diplomatic Milestone
Vance praised U.S. diplomats for what he described as a breakthrough moment in the region.
“It’s a great moment for our country. Our diplomats made this happen. This is something to be proud of,” he said.
The U.S. Central Command will oversee a new coordination center in Israel to support and monitor compliance with the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Sources:
ABC News
