CNN reports that Hamas has released five out of six hostages from Gaza, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict. These hostages were part of an agreement made during a ceasefire that began last month.
The first two hostages were freed in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, on Saturday morning. They are Tal Shoham, 40, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, and Avera Mengistu, 38, an Israeli who entered Gaza in 2014.
After their release, Shoham and Mengistu were transferred to the Israeli military by the Red Cross, as reported by the Israel Defense Forces.
Meanwhile, in Nuseirat, central Gaza, thousands, including Hamas fighters, gathered for the handover of three more hostages—Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert. This was another orchestrated release event.
The three hostages appeared to be in better condition than some previous releases, although several of them looked thin. Omer Shem Tov even interacted with the crowd, blowing kisses to those watching.
A fourth hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, was expected to be released in Nuseirat but was shifted to a different location for handover.
Both Mengistu and al-Sayed are reported to have serious mental health issues, which could complicate their return to normal life.
Shoham was among those kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7. He was taken along with his family, who were released earlier in November. Cohen, Shem Tov, and Wenkert were abducted during the Nova music festival.
In a significant exchange, Hamas claims that Israel is expected to release over 600 Palestinian prisoners in return. This includes individuals serving life sentences and many detained since October 7 without charges.
These hostages are the last living captives to be returned under the ceasefire agreement reached through talks in Qatar.
Just before being handed to the Red Cross, Shoham and Mengistu were showcased on stage, surrounded by armed militants, where they were made to speak to the audience.
The remains of another hostage, Shiri Bibas, were returned to Tel Aviv shortly before the releases. Her family confirmed that she was murdered while in captivity after forensic tests identified her remains.
Despite previous hopes that Bibas’ body would be among those released, the fourth body turned out to be unidentified, leading to public outcry.
Following Saturday’s releases, Hamas still holds 63 Israeli hostages in Gaza, with many presumed dead.
Future negotiations are expected to continue to finalize further hostage exchanges, as Hamas indicated willingness to deliver all remaining hostages in return for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
