Tel Aviv, 27 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media report, citing government officials.

Israeli officials will carry out forensic identification of the bodies, the Times of Israel reported, a prerequisite for Israel releasing over 600 Palestinian prisoners.

A Red Cross bus escorting Palestinian prisoners had left Ofer Prison, the Times of Israel added.

Hamas on Tuesday said it had reached an agreement with Israel for the simultaneous release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners by Israel in return of four Israeli hostages' bodies by Hamas.

The deal aims to break the deadlock that had threatened to derail the ceasefire agreement before its first phase is completed.

Early on Sunday, Israel halted the planned release of some 600 Palestinian prisoners outlined in the ceasefire deal, stating that Hamas must first guarantee an end to what it described as "humiliating ceremonies" surrounding the release of Israeli hostages.

Some 250 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip during the unprecedented attacks led by Palestinian extremist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left some 1,200 people dead.

The massacre triggered the latest Gaza war, in which close to 50,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Photo: EPA