Tel Aviv, Feb. 26 -- Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the transfer of four Israeli hostages' bodies in exchange for the release of 602 Palestinian security prisoners, according to statements from both Hamas and an Israeli official, as reported by The Times of Israel.

According to Times of Israel's report, the agreement is expected to end the deadlock that threatened to derail the multi-phase ceasefire deal before its first stage could be fully implemented.

"An agreement was reached to resolve the issue of the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be freed in the last batch," Hamas said in a statement cited by The Times of Israel.

Hamas added, "They will be released simultaneously with the bodies of...