Hamas gas handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives, in what it said would be an exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, capping the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
Preparations have begun at Gaza's European Hospital in Khan Younis to receive Palestinian prisoners to be freed later on Wednesday after their release was delayed from Saturday.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would receive the bodies without any ceremonies like those previously held by Hamas.