Hamas faces deadline to return all hostages to Israel under peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump following October 7, 2023 attacks.

The organization has escorted hundreds of people to freedom, but it says it also does important diplomatic work behind the scenes.

Medical teams at an Israeli hospital awaiting the arrival of hostages expected to be released from Gaza are "prepared for anything," Noa Eliakim Raz, head of the Returning Hostages Unit at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, told NBC News.

Tensions rose sharply and quickly after two members of Hamas's elite forces were shot dead by gunmen from the powerful Dughmush clan in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood. One of them was the son of a senior commander in Hamas's armed wing, Imad Aqel, who now heads the group's military intelligence.

A deal to release hostages held by Hamas and establish a cease-fire in Gaza was approved Thursday by Israel’s government. A host of details still need to be resolved in a subsequent phase of the agreement,

Hamas founding member Mousa Abu Marzouk stormed off a live interview after being pressed on the terror organization’s role in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

Hamas is said to have informed mediators that if Israel agrees to release even two of the seven names, it will release the hostages today.

The U.S. is preparing to establish a center in Israel that will monitor the cease-fire and oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid.