Tens of thousands of Israelis have lined highways holding flags, orange balloons and signs saying “forgive us” in an outpouring of grief as the bodies of a mother and her two small sons who were killed in captivity in the Gaza Strip were taken for burial.

Israeli and Hamas officials say they have reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli and Hamas officials say they have reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge for what he described as a “cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Hamas militants have released the bodies of four more hostages from the Gaza Strip more than 16 months after they were taken captive.

The bodies of the youngest Israelis held hostage by the militant Hamas group have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending.