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.

Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross early Thursday in exchange for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, days before the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was to end.

Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners Thursday, days before the first phase of their ceasefire will end. Israel had delayed the agreed-upon prisoner release,