Hamas Releases Six Israeli Hostages in Exchange for Hundreds of Palestinian Prisoners

Final Hostages Freed Under First Phase of Ceasefire Deal

Hamas freed six Israeli hostages from Gaza on Saturday, marking the last living captives to be released under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel is set to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Hostages Handed Over in Stages

The freed hostages include Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, who were all abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The three men were handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza, where masked Hamas militants stood on either side as they were made to wave from a stage before being transported to Israeli forces.

Additionally, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were released earlier in Rafah, southern Gaza. Hamas later handed over the sixth hostage, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, in Gaza City, but without a public ceremony.

Public Displays Draw Criticism

Hamas’ hostage releases, which have included staged events where captives are paraded or made to speak, have sparked international condemnation. The United Nations denounced the practice, calling it a violation of human dignity. Hamas, however, defended its actions, describing them as a symbolic display of Palestinian unity.

Decade-Long Captivity for Some Hostages

Al-Sayed and Mengistu were held by Hamas for nearly a decade after entering Gaza voluntarily. Meanwhile, Shoham was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri along with his wife and two children, who were previously freed in a brief truce in November 2023.

The six hostages were the last to be released from a group of 33 captives freed under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Sixty-three hostages remain in Gaza, though intelligence suggests less than half are still alive.

Emotional Reunions and National Mourning

Shem Tov was seen embracing his parents, laughing and crying, saying, “How I dreamt of this,” in a video released by the Israeli military. Shoham smiled and waved as friends gathered outside the hospital where he was taken.

“We’ve been waiting for Tal every day since October 7,” said Yael Avner, 50, a friend of Shoham. “It’s a great relief just to see him home.”

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, hundreds of Israelis braved the rain to gather in support. Many lit candles under photos of the Bibas family, whose bodies were returned earlier this week.

Israel to Release 602 Palestinian Detainees

In exchange for the hostages, Israel is set to release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This includes 445 Gazans arrested during the war, as well as individuals serving lengthy or life sentences for attacks that killed dozens of Israelis during the Palestinian uprisings.

Confusion Over Bibas Family Identification

The fragile ceasefire was briefly thrown into uncertainty after a body misidentification on Thursday. Hamas initially released remains it claimed were those of Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped along with her husband and two young sons. However, the Israeli government later determined the body was not hers.

By Friday night, Hamas handed over another body, which was confirmed to be Shiri Bibas. “Last night, our Shiri was returned home,” her family said in a statement, confirming the identification by Israel’s Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Children Killed “In Cold Blood,” Says Israel

The Israeli military stated that forensic evidence suggests 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother, Ariel, were executed by their captors. “They were killed in cold blood,” according to Israeli Army Radio, which cited forensic conclusions that Bibas was likely slain alongside her children.

Hamas has denied responsibility, claiming the Bibas family was killed in an Israeli airstrike. A group called the Mujahideen Brigades had previously stated it was holding the family, a claim corroborated by the Israeli military.

Ceasefire Holds, But Uncertainty Remains

While the ceasefire has temporarily halted fighting, long-term peace remains uncertain. Hamas has sought to project strength despite suffering heavy losses, while Israel continues airstrikes and military operations in response to the October 7 attacks.

Hamas’ attack on Israeli communities resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. Large parts of Gaza now lie in ruins, with hundreds of thousands displaced and reliant on humanitarian aid.

Both sides have expressed willingness to begin negotiations for a second phase of hostage exchanges. Mediators say the next round of talks will focus on securing the release of remaining captives and Israel’s potential military withdrawal.

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