Hayya, leader of Hamas in Gaza, said the bodies of four hostages would be returned on Thursday. Six living hostages would follow on Saturday.

Israel and Hamas are behind on the progression of their ceasefire deal as the release of hostages and return of remains continues.

Hamas said it would carry out the ceasefire agreement “according to the specified timetable,” reversing a vow to delay prisoner releases over alleged Israeli violations.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of Gaza ignited the war there. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict boiled over into all-out war in September as Israel carried out massive waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant group’s senior leaders.

Israel will start negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas as early as this week, aiming for the complete dismantling of the Palestinian group in Gaza.

Israel will begin negotiations on a permanent end to the war in Gaza and freeing the remaining living hostages held there, its foreign minister said.

Israel will begin negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal this week, the country’s foreign minister said Tuesday, raising hopes that a fragile truce might be prolonged without hostilities restarting.