Harsh facts: This is the number of living hostages remaining in Gaza

The families of Ohad Yahalomi, Shlomo Mantzur, Tzachi Idan, and Itzik Elgart received official notification that they were murdered in captivity. There are currently 59 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip. 35 of them have been declared deceased.

After identifying the four deceased hostages who were brought to Israel last night, there are currently 59 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip. 35 of them have been declared deceased. The meaning: 24 living hostages remain in Gaza.

The Prime Minister's Office updated last night that Israel received, through the Red Cross, the coffins of four deceased hostages. The coffins were delivered through Egyptian mediation to an IDF force at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Immediately upon receiving the deceased, an initial identification process began on Israeli soil. The hostages' families were continuously updated on the situation, and after the complete identification process, they were given official notification.

The four deceased hostages who were returned to Israel are Shlomo Mantzur (of blessed memory), Tzachi Idan (of blessed memory), Itzik Elgart (of blessed memory), and Ohad Yahalomi (of blessed memory). The four were kidnapped on October 7, and their bodies were delivered to Israel last night after 510 days.

With the first phase of the hostage deal now complete, the question of the second phase remains open. According to the agreement, Israel must further withdraw from the Gaza Strip in this phase, and officially declare an end to the war.

However, multiple reports indicate that Israel has no intention of withdrawing further or of declaring an end, and is instead looking to carry out an "extended first phase" in which hostages, especially living hostages, are exchanged for more terrorists without any additional concessions. Israel will decide whether or not to send a delegation to Doha to discuss such exchanges by the end of this week.