Israel releases over 600 Palestinian prisoners as Hamas returns bodies of four hostages

Gaza ceasefire appears to hold after four-day breach, as Israel says three of four bodies identified as of Thursday morning

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Hamas has handed over the bodies of four hostages, and Israel has released more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, as the five-week-old ceasefire appeared to get back on track after a breach that had brought fears of a return to war in Gaza.

The bodies of the hostages were transferred to the Red Cross in southern Gaza and driven to the border point at Kerem Shalom at about midnight, when immediate identity checks were carried out using dental records. By dawn on Thursday morning, three out of the four had been positively identified, according to a group representing the hostages.