Hamas set to hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, according to AFP.

Ahead of the transfer hundreds of people gathered around a sandy lot formerly used as a cemetery. A fence had been erected to keep onlookers away from the immediate area where the handover to the Red Cross was to occur.

Armed men in military fatigues and wearing Hamas headbands were ubiquitous, standing near a stage where a carefully choreographed ceremony had been planned — as for previous transfers of hostages during the truce.