Tel Aviv, Oct. 9 -- Israel's health, justice, and security institutions began mobilising on Thursday for the long-awaited return of hostages held by Hamas and the parallel release of Palestinian prisoners.

The Health Ministry said Thursday that it has completed preparations to receive the returnees, drawing on what officials described as "hard lessons from previous release and rescue efforts." The effort is being coordinated by Hagar Mizrahi, head of the ministry's Medical Division. Three hospitals -- Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Aviv Sourasky (Ichilov), and Beilinson Medical Centre -- will serve as the main facilities receiving the freed hostages. In cases requiring immediate intervention, Soroka Medical Centre in Beer-Sheva and Barzilai M...