By: Bright Ntuli
The Israeli government says it is expecting all 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza to be released to the Red Cross this morning.
This is part of the first phase of the peace deal agreed last week.Hamas holds 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel will also release nearly two-thousand Palestinian hostages.
Israeli government spokesperson, Shosh Bedrosian, says that they are also ready to receive the bodies of the deceased hostages.
“Once the Red Cross hands the remains to the IDF forces inside of the Israel controlled territory in Gaza, our forces will hold a short ceremony, the coffins will be draped with Israeli flags and Jewish memorial prayers for the dead will be said,” says Bedrosian.
