Hamas says it will return the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages on Thursday in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

Hamas handed over the coffins of four hostages early Thursday, Israeli authorities confirmed, followed soon after by the return of hundreds of freed Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel has begun the release of more than 600 Palestinians, including a number of women and children, just days before the first phase of the ceasefire agreement is due to expire.