Hamas said that it reached a deal with Israel to exchange the bodies of four Israeli hostages for the release of 602 Palestinian prisoners, after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delayed Saturday's release "indefinitely," citing "repeated violations by Hamas, including the ceremonies that demean" Israeli hostages.

"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. "They will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli prisoners agreed upon for transfer during the first phase," the group added.

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed to the Times of Israel that a deal had been reached, saying that the exchange would be carried out under Egyptian supervision on Wednesday.