Hamas Frees Final 6 Hostages in First Phase of Ceasefire Deal
Hamas freed six hostages from Gaza—the final group under a ceasefire prisoner swap—including three abducted from the Nova festival on Oct 7, 2023. Israel will release 602 detainees, while 63 captives still remain in Gaza
Hamas freed six hostages from Gaza on Saturday—the final release under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire deal—in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Among those freed were Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. These three were handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza, under heavy guard by masked gunmen.
Earlier, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, had been released in Rafah, and a sixth hostage, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was later transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza City without a public ceremony. The six released individuals complete the set of living hostages scheduled for liberation in the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal that began on January 19. Meanwhile, 63 additional captives remain in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive.
The prisoner swap will see Israel release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees—including 445 Gazans detained during the war—while further negotiations continue on the complete return of all hostages and a broader resolution to the conflict. Although the public release ceremonies have drawn criticism—including from the United Nations for “parading hostages”—Hamas defended them as a solemn demonstration of Palestinian unity.
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Eliya Cohen (27):
A vibrant young man attending the Nova music festival, Eliya was abducted during the chaos of the attack. Eyewitnesses recall the panic that ensued as he and other festival-goers tried to escape the terrorists. His family remembers him as determined and full of life—a stark contrast to the ordeal he endured.
Omer Shem Tov (22):
Taken from the festival grounds, Omer’s abduction left his loved ones in agonizing uncertainty. In a tearful reunion captured on video, he embraced his parents, exclaiming, “How I dreamt of this,” as he reunited with them after months of captivity. His tattoos and personal details helped confirm his identity during the release process.
Omer Wenkert (23):
Also abducted from the Nova festival, Omer’s struggle is marked by reports of his deteriorating health during captivity. Known for his outgoing personality and aspirations in the restaurant industry, his family described him as a social and vibrant young man whose resilience provided hope during dark times.
Tal Shoham (40):
Abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri while visiting his wife’s family during the Simchat Torah holiday, Tal’s ordeal is intertwined with that of his extended family. Despite the harrowing circumstances, his release brought relief to those who had been anxiously awaiting news of his return.
Avera Mengistu (39):
Avera’s captivity stretches back nearly a decade after he crossed into Gaza from northern Israel in 2014. Hailing from Ashkelon’s working-class Ethiopian-Israeli community, his prolonged detention—complicated by struggles with mental health—has long been a rallying point for advocates demanding his release.
Hisham Al-Sayed (36):
A Bedouin Israeli from the Negev, Hisham was taken into captivity near the Erez Crossing in April 2015. His time in captivity has been characterized by severe hardships, including deteriorating health and repeated isolation. Family members and advocates describe his release as a critical step toward alleviating a decade-long ordeal.
