Israel/Palestine

Israel has begun releasing 602 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies of four slain hostages, with the first bus of prisoners arriving in Ramallah, Israeli media reported Wednesday night.

The slain hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross at the Kerem Shalom crossing without a Hamas propaganda ceremony like those seen in previous releases. After the remains are all confirmed by Israeli authorities, additional prisoners will be released from various prisons in Israel to either the West Bank or Gaza.

The Palestinian prisoners due to be released include 445 men and 24 women and minors arrested in Gaza, as well as 151 prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, according to a Hamas source.