Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, announced in an official statement on Tuesday afternoon that all remaining living hostages will be released on Saturday as part of the first phase of the hostage deal. Before that, on Thursday, the bodies of four deceased hostages are expected to be handed over. The remaining four bodies from this phase will be released next week.
"We have decided to hand over four bodies of hostages on Thursday as a preparatory step for the second phase of negotiations," al-Hayya said. "The delivery of the remaining bodies will be completed as agreed upon in the sixth week of the deal's implementation."
He added that six living hostages will be released on Saturday, including Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.