On Saturday, Hamas released six hostages as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel. These were the last hostages to be freed under the current truce in Gaza. Hamas had pledged to release at least 33 of the nearly 100 remaining captives, many of whom are feared dead, in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons and a partial withdrawal by Israel. Talks to extend the ceasefire are ongoing, but reaching an agreement seems uncertain.
Among those freed, two individuals had been held captive for around a decade. Four others were captured during the violent attacks on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault that led to a new war in Gaza.
Omer Wenkert
Omer Wenkert was just 23 when insurgents kidnapped him during a music festival near the Gaza border. A shocking video from the attack showed Omer being taken by armed men, his hands bound and his clothes stripped. Before the assault, he communicated with his family, expressing his fear. His grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, even reached out to Russian officials for assistance in securing his release.
Omer was managing a restaurant and preparing to study restaurant management in college. His father vocally pleaded for his son’s freedom, expressing that time felt frozen since the attack.
Eliya Cohen
Eliya Cohen, then 27, was also at the music festival. When militants attacked, he and others took cover. Tragically, he was shot in the leg, and while hiding under a pile of bodies, his girlfriend witnessed him being taken away. Eliya’s mother dedicated herself to advocating for hostage releases, sharing her pain and urging Israelis to reflect on the tragedy and their response.
Hisham al-Sayed
Hisham al-Sayed, an Israeli of Bedouin descent, was captured by Hamas in Gaza in 2015. After years of being held, he was seen in a Hamas video in 2022. His family believes he suffers from schizophrenia, complicating his situation. They remain anxiously awaiting his return, unsure of his condition after so many years in captivity.
Avera Mengistu
Avera Mengistu, now 38, is the longest-held living Israeli hostage. He crossed into Gaza in 2014 after a war with Hamas and has not been seen since, aside from an unverified video released in early 2023. Like Hisham, Avera faces significant mental health challenges. His family is still searching for information and hope for his freedom.
Omer Shem Tov
At just 20 years old, Omer Shem Tov was abducted during the same festival as others. His friends were lucky enough to be released in a previous truce. In December, they appealed for Omer’s return, sharing the emotional burden of missing their friend and the trauma they endured.
Tal Shoham
Tal Shoham, 38, was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and young children were released earlier in the ceasefire negotiations. Tal’s family has been vocal, urging the government to take urgent action. As the anniversary of the attack approached, his mother highlighted the ongoing struggle and the family’s commitment to bringing Tal back home.
These stories reflect the deeply personal toll of the conflict, as families endure the uncertainty and heartbreak of missing loved ones amid ongoing violence and negotiations. The hope for peace and the safe return of all captives continues to resonate strongly among communities affected by this crisis.
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Israel,Hamas,Gaza Strip,Hezbollah,Lebanon,Defense and Military Forces,Palestinians
