JD Vance: Gaza captives could be released ‘at any moment’
3 Min Read
US Vice President JD Vance says captives in Gaza could be released soon, as over 200 US troops head to the occupied Palestinian territories to coordinate humanitarian efforts.
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio whispers to Vice President JD Vance as President Donald Trump and Finland's President Alexander Stubb meet in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Washington (AP)
US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that the captives held in Gaza could be released “at any moment,” as Washington prepares for President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East to welcome them.
“It really should be any moment now,” Vance told NBC’s Meet the Press. “The president of the United States is planning to travel to the Middle East to greet the hostages Monday morning, Middle Eastern time, which should be late Sunday night or very early Monday morning here in the United States.”
Vance added that while the exact timing of the release remains uncertain, Washington expects it to happen soon. “You can’t say exactly the moment they will be released, but we have every expectation. That’s why the president is going, that he will be greeting the hostages early next week,” he said.
Vance stressed that the United States has no plans to deploy “boots on the ground” in Gaza or within the occupied Palestinian territories following reports that a US coordination mission will soon be set up in the occupied territories.
Over 200 US troops expected in “Israel”
A US official told The Jerusalem Post that roughly 200 American troops are expected to arrive to the occupied Palestinian territories in the coming days to establish a coordination center aimed at managing international efforts in Gaza.
According to the official, the personnel are expected to be in place by Sunday. The new center will serve as a hub for humanitarian coordination, logistical assistance, and communication among countries and organizations participating in Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilization efforts.
“The goal is to avoid chaos and ensure everyone can communicate effectively,” the official said, emphasizing that the mission is designed to improve coordination rather than introduce US combat involvement.
The official underscored that “there will be no American troops operating inside Gaza,” noting that while US aircraft may monitor developments from above to provide “situational awareness,” no soldiers would enter the enclave.
'Multinational task force'
Meanwhile, the US military will coordinate a multinational task force that will deploy in Gaza and is likely to include troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
"America's sons and daughters in uniform are answering the call to deliver peace in the Middle East in support of the Commander in Chief's direction in this historic moment," Cooper wrote on X.
According to senior US officials, the mission will operate under US Central Command (CENTCOM) and will be structured as a Civil-Military Coordination Center that is responsible for facilitating the flow of what is being described as humanitarian and security assistance into Gaza following the recent ceasefire agreement.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the deployed personnel will monitor the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire from "Israel" while working in coordination with other international forces present in the area.
A US defense official noted that the troops being deployed possess expertise in planning, logistics, engineering, and security, and will focus on ensuring smooth coordination and delivery of aid rather than engaging in combat or policing activities.
