Israel's national security adviser said the release of hostages under a temporary truce agreement with Gaza's Hamas rulers will not happen before Friday.
"Negotiations for the release of our captives are progressing and continue all the time," Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a statement released by the prime minister's office.
"The start of the release will proceed according to the original agreement between the parties, and not before Friday," Hanegbi said.