Israeli Hostage Affairs Coordinator, Gal Hirsch, told families via text message on Saturday evening that the release of hostages “will begin Monday morning.”

Hirsch added in statements to the American news network CNN that the living hostages “will be handed over to us, and we estimate that the hostage release process will start next Monday morning.”

Hirsch noted, “It is also expected that the remains of deceased hostages will be transferred to us.” He acknowledged that “not all deceased hostages will be returned within the 72-hour deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement,” adding that “Israel will work with the international task force to locate the remains of the other hostages.”

Hirsch said, “We demand, expect, and work to ensure that Hamas exerts 100% effort, supported by the international task force, to fulfill this mission and return the remains of all deceased hostages for burial in Israel.”