Israel says hostage releases expected to begin early Monday morning

Israel's government said it expects all of the living hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip to be released early Monday morning, local time. A spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister's office told reporters on Sunday that 20 hostages who are known to be alive are likely to be handed over at one time to the Red Cross.

The spokesperson said Israel is ready to receive the hostages anytime if Hamas wants to release them earlier. Under the agreement, Hamas is to release all 48 hostages held in Gaza within 72 hours of the ceasefire.