Israeli Hostage Envoy Confirms to Families that Return Will Take Place Monday

Israel’s hostage envoy, Gal Hirsch, informed families of the captives on Saturday that the long-awaited transfer of hostages, both living and murdered, is expected to begin Monday morning, as part of the agreement reached with Hamas terrorists.

In a message shared with the families and reported by The Times of Israel, Hirsch said Israel believes that “the process of releasing your loved ones—our loved ones, the hostages—will begin on Monday morning.”

“Living hostages will be handed over to us, and it is expected that the remains of fallen hostages will also be transferred to us,” Hirsch wrote.

He noted that Israel has completed preparations to receive the freed hostages inside Gaza, at the Re’im IDF base, and at hospitals throughout Israel.

Hirsch said that the bodies of those murdered “will be transferred in a painful and respectful ceremony, in accordance with the proper protocol, to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for the identification process.”

Once Israel confirms which bodies have been received, Hirsch added, the multinational task force will begin searching for any hostages still held in Gaza.

“We demand, expect, and work for 100% effort from Hamas, with the assistance of the international force, in order to complete the mission and bring back all the fallen hostages for burial in Israel,” he stressed.

He emphasized that Israel is maintaining close coordination with the Red Cross, the negotiating teams from the mediating countries, and other international organizations.

“The Home Front Command and I are with you at this time—with vigilance, with anticipation, with pain, with uncertainty, and with joy,” Hirsch wrote.