Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech a few hours before the release of Hamas hostages, as part of the agreement reached between the two sides after two years of war, based on the Trump plan.

Netanyahu began his speech by describing the release of the hostages as a historic event, one that many did not believe would happen.

He acknowledged that there are many disagreements among us, but expressed hope that the people of Israel will be able to put these differences aside in the future.

"Where we fought, we won," he said. He warned, however, that the campaign is not over yet, underlining that there are very big security challenges ahead.

He continued by saying that he and his wife met several times with the families of the hostages and saw the longing and pain on their faces. These meetings accompanied me in every decision we made, he emphasized.

We will bring back your loved ones he said, addressing the families of the hostages.

The Israeli prime minister concluded his brief statement by thanking the country's citizens who stood steadfast day after day. Tomorrow, a new path begins, he stressed. Together we will continue to overcome and, with God's help, together we will ensure the eternity of the country and the land of Israel, he concluded.

Countdown to the release of the hostages

According to the Israeli government, the release of hostages held in Gaza will begin early Monday morning, with the 20 surviving hostages expected to be released at the same time. Israel is also ready to receive the bodies of the 26 dead hostages, while the fate of two others remains unknown.

In exchange, Israel will release 250 prisoners for security reasons, including individuals convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis, as well as another 1,700 Palestinians captured by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip after the outbreak of the war.

The Palestinian prisoners will be released once all the hostages expected to be released tomorrow have been received.