The remains released Thursday were presumed to include Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir — and the Israeli government confirmed that one of the bodies returned was of Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted. Kfir, who was 9 months old when he was kidnapped, was the youngest captive.

The militant group’s chief negotiator also said Hamas would increase the number of living hostages it would release on Saturday to six from three.

The bodies presumed to be of the youngest Israelis held hostage by Hamas have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending