WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to greet Israeli hostages in person after they are released by Hamas, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday.

Trump is expected to fly to Israel on Sunday afternoon and “greet the hostages Monday morning, Middle Eastern time, which should be late, you know, Sunday night or very early Monday morning here in the United States,” Vance said during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

The visit comes as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of 20 living hostages. At the time of the interview Sunday, Vance said their release is expected “at any moment now.”

“It’s great, of course, for their families,” he added. “But I really do think that it shows what happens when you go outside the traditional failed diplomatic routes and actually try something new.”

The planned release follows Israel’s approval of the first phase of a peace agreement with Hamas after two years of war, which began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. 

Competing demands remain on the next steps, casting uncertainty on whether the conflict is indeed over.

Israel wants Hamas to disarm, and Hamas wants Israel to pull its troops out of all of Gaza. The future of Gaza’s government, which has been in Hamas’ hands for two decades, also remains to be worked out.

Gaza’s Health Ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the 67,600 deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.