Israel has begun the release of more than 600 Palestinians, including a number of women and children, just days before the first phase of the ceasefire agreement is due to expire.

Hamas handed over the coffins of four hostages early Thursday, Israeli authorities confirmed, followed soon after by the return of hundreds of freed Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza.

A top Hamas leader says the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday and the bodies of four others on Thursday.