Hamas has released six more hostages held in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement, in exchange for the release of 602 Palestinian prisoners later on Saturday. This significant development marks the culmination of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which is expected to conclude next Saturday. The terms of a potential second phase are still under negotiation.
The hostages released include four individuals kidnapped during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel: Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert. Additionally, two other men, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who had been held in Gaza for several years, were also freed. Mr. Mengistu has been in captivity since 2014, and Mr. al-Sayed since 2015.
In exchange for these hostages, 602 Palestinian prisoners are set to be released later today. According to a statement from a Palestinian prisoners' media office, this group includes 50 prisoners serving life sentences and 60 with high sentences. Most of these prisoners were detained following the 7 October 2023 attack.
This release is part of the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The next phase is expected to commence on 1 March. Currently, 59 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with around half believed to be alive. The bodies of four additional hostages are anticipated to be transferred to Israel next week, marking the final step in the initial ceasefire phase.
Hamas initiated the release of hostages in January, facilitated by the Red Cross, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The process evolved from initial chaotic scenes to more orchestrated events, with hostages often appearing flanked by fighters on stages before handovers.
Mr. Shoham, aged 40, and Mr. Mengistu, aged 39, were handed over to the Red Cross in Rafah, South Gaza, before being transferred to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Mr. Shoham was visiting family at Kibbutz Be'eri in October 2023 when he, along with his wife and two children, was kidnapped by Hamas. His family members were released after 50 days. In a statement, his family expressed, "This is an unforgettable moment, where all emotions are rapidly mixing together. Our Tal is with us."
Mr. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, had been held by Hamas since September 2014 after crossing into north Gaza.
In a separate event at Nuseirat in central Gaza, Mr. Shem Tov, 22, Mr. Cohen, 27, and Mr. Wenkert, 23, were released publicly by Hamas. All three were captured at the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023. Mr. Shem Tov initially escaped by car when Hamas fighters attacked the festival but was captured when he returned to rescue his friends. Mr. Cohen hid with his girlfriend, Ziv Abud, in a festival shelter but was discovered and taken away. Although the shelter was bombed, Ms. Abud survived and managed to escape. Mr. Wenkert sent text messages to his family during the attack, informing them of his move to a safe shelter, but they lost contact with him afterward.
