Hamas says to hand over bodies of Israeli hostages Wednesday night

GAZA/JERUSALEM -- Hamas said on Wednesday that it decided to hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Wednesday night after a days-long impasse.

The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, decided to hand over the bodies of the four Israeli hostages on Wednesday night, Spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in a statement.

As part of the exchange deal, Israel is expected to release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners initially scheduled to be released on Feb 22. Israel has previously halted their release, saying the move was meant to protest humiliating ceremonies by Hamas during the release of the hostages.

In a separate statement, the Palestinian Commission of Detainees Affair confirmed the release of Palestinian prisoners, saying it would be implemented at 11:00 PM local time on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the bodies of four Israeli hostages would be returned Wednesday night, adding that the bodies would be released in "an agreed-upon procedure and without Hamas ceremonies".

Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that is due to expire on Saturday, Hamas agreed to hand over 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some of their positions in Gaza as well as a massive influx of aid.