Mourners are burying the remains of one of the last hostages released in the first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israel

The United States said talks for a second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal were on track, as Hamas said Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

Mourners in Israel are burying the remains of one of the last hostages released in the first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israel. The ceremony took place as negotiators discussed a second phase of the deal that could end the war in Gaza and see the remaining live hostages returning home.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire began Thursday in the Egyptian capital, Egypt said, averting a collapse of the agreement ahead of Saturday’s expiration of the first phase.

Hamas says it was ready to negotiate the the next phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after handing over what it said were the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of more than 60