AMICHAI STEIN

The handover follows the IDF’s full repositioning over the weekend, a key condition for activating the first tranche of the agreement.

Each party entered the agreement knowing what they are supposed to do, but it is unclear what happens if the other fails to comply.

Sharren Haskel stated that the hostages may be released earlier than expected.

This contradicts Hamas's comments from earlier on Sunday that they would reportedly release all remaining hostages, living and deceased, by dawn on Monday, October 13.

Hamas has reportedly begun to gather the living hostages in preparation for their handover to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

An Egyptian source revealed that though these were ministry employees, they were not participating in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Maariv noted.

Authorities have begun preparations for the return of the 20 living hostages and 28 deceased ones as part of Israel’s agreed-upon ceasefire deal with Hamas.

“There will be no US soldiers on the ground,” a US official said. “However, personnel will be monitoring developments, and aircraft may operate over the Strip to provide situational awareness."

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Hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch told The Jerusalem Post he will not step down until every hostage, living or murdered, is brought back from Gaza.