Hamas will return the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages on Thursday in exchange for the release by Israel of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the group said. The announcement comes days before the first phase of the ceasefire between the warring parties is due to expire. Israel has delayed the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday in protest against what it says has been the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas. The militant group has said that the delay is a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and that talks on a second phase are not possible until the Palestinian prisoners are freed.
