Hamas freed six hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, shortly after Israel confirmed the identification of hostage Shiri Bibas’ body, returned earlier that day.
Among the released hostages were Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, all taken during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on the Nova music festival in southern Israel. The hostages were handed to the Red Cross and transported to Israeli forces. Additionally, Israeli military confirmed that hostage Hisham Al Sayed had crossed back into Israel. The handover occurred under the watch of dozens of masked Hamas fighters, who stood armed with rifles as the hostages, appearing thin and pale, were made to wave from a stage.
Earlier, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were released in Rafah, located in southern Gaza.
These six individuals are the last living hostages from a group of 33 scheduled for release as part of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement effective since January 19. Approximately 60 hostages remain in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive.
The public nature of Hamas’ hostage releases, which included ceremonies where captives appeared on stage, has drawn international criticism. The United Nations condemned the practice as the “parading of hostages,” while Hamas defended the events as symbolic demonstrations of Palestinian unity.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire terms. Among them are 445 individuals detained during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, along with several prisoners serving long-term or life sentences, according to Hamas sources.
The ceasefire faced potential derailment after a body mistakenly identified as Shiri Bibas was returned on Thursday. However, late Friday, Hamas handed over another body that Israel’s Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed as Bibas. “Last night, our Shiri was returned home,” her family stated.
While the ceasefire has provided a temporary halt in fighting, long-term peace remains uncertain. Hamas, despite sustaining heavy losses during the conflict, has sought to assert its continued control in Gaza.
