Israeli and Hamas officials said they had reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of the dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The move would help keep the current fragile ceasefire alive for at least a few more days, APnews reported.
Israel on Saturday delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners, protesting what it said was Hama's mistreatment during the hostage-taking. Hamas called the delay a "serious violation" and said that no further talks would be possible until the prisoners were released.
The deal now paves the way for the return of the bodies of four more dead hostages and the release of hundreds more prisoners planned as part of a reconciliation deal.
