Militant group Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli jails overnight in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

In the final exchange of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Hamas released the bodies of four hostages and Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The six-week first phase ends on Saturday and details of a second phase are still to be determined.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israel will not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for by the ceasefire, an official said Thursday. Israel’s refusal could spark a crisis with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.

Israel’s refusal to withdraw from a narrow strip of desert on Gaza's border with Egypt, as called for in the ceasefire with Hamas, could threaten the truce

Israel announced it will not withdraw from the strategic Philadelphi corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt, potentially jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire with Hamas.