Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, days before the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will end. Israel said the caskets were then delivered early to it with the help of Egyptian mediators through an Israeli crossing and an identification process

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.