(NewsNation) — A group representing the families of Israeli hostages says 24 bodies of hostages are still being withheld in violation of a ceasefire deal.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement Monday morning as the release of living hostages was set to begin.

The group said only four of the 28 bodies were expected to be returned Monday.

The families were reportedly told that locating all of the remains would be difficult. Israel had not confirmed how many bodies are expected to be released.

It was not clear how all of the hostages died. Some were reported to have died in the initial Oct. 7 attacks and their bodies taken hostage; others died in captivity. Some reportedly died of injuries from the initial attack, and others were killed, either by Hamas or as a result

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