Synopsis
On February 22, six Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released as part of a ceasefire exchange. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the handover, which included individuals captured during the October 2023 attacks. The agreement involves the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, concluding the first phase of the deal.Key Takeaways
- Six Israeli hostages were released by Hamas.
- The handover was confirmed by the IDF.
- Released hostages include Avera Mengistu and Tal Shoham.
- The exchange is part of a larger ceasefire agreement.
- Israel is set to release 602 Palestinian prisoners as part of this deal.
Gaza, Feb 22 (NationPress) On Saturday, six Israeli hostages who were previously in the custody of Hamas were released as part of an ongoing ceasefire exchange, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Earlier that day, two of the five hostages were handed over from a vehicle belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, to International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles in Rafah, southern Gaza. These vehicles subsequently transported them to the IDF and Israel Security Agency, according to reports from both Israeli and Palestinian sources, as noted by Xinhua news agency.
The two released individuals include Avera Mengistu, 38, an Israeli of Ethiopian descent from Ashkelon, who had been held since crossing into Gaza in 2014, and Tal Shoham, 40, who was captured during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. It's reported that Shoham's wife and two children, who were also taken hostage, were released in November 2023 under a temporary ceasefire arrangement.
Later on the same day, three additional Israeli hostages were released by Hamas to Israeli authorities via the ICRC at the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.
The three individuals -- Omer Shem-Tov, 22, Eliya Cohen, 27, and Omer Wenkert, 23 -- were also captured during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Eyewitnesses at the handover ceremony reported that the three hostages appeared to be in good health, dressed in military uniforms, and carrying their release certificates. A notable moment occurred when one of them was seen kissing the heads of two masked al-Qassam Brigades members next to them.
Another Israeli hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, 37, was released in central Gaza without an official ceremony later that same day, according to a source from al-Qassam Brigades.
The Israeli military confirmed that al-Sayed was transferred to Red Cross representatives after being held captive for almost a decade and is currently en route to Israeli forces in Gaza.
The releases are part of the most recent hostage-prisoner swap under the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which stipulates that Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners later today. This swap marks the final occasion where Hamas has handed over living hostages under the first phase of the agreement.
The first phase, which has been in effect since January 19, is anticipated to conclude next week when Hamas is expected to finalize the release of 33 Israeli hostages -- comprising 25 living hostages and eight deceased ones -- in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners.
