In a significant development amid the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, Hamas has set free six Israeli hostages on Saturday. Ensuring their safe return, these hostages are now under the joint protection of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) on their way home. Prior to their departure, Israeli soldiers offered heartfelt salutes and embraced them in solidarity. Following this emotional reunion, the hostages underwent medical examinations. In exchange for these hostages, Israel released 602 Palestinian prisoners.
This poignant exchange unfolded in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Here, Hamas fighters, masked for anonymity, brought the hostages onto a stage before transferring them into Red Cross ambulances. Among those first released were Tal Shoham aged 40, and Avera Mengistu aged 39. One by one, the remaining hostages, including Omar Shem Tov, Elia Cohen, Hisham al-Said, and Omar Venkar, were liberated from Hamas's hold.
Just prior, on Thursday, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. This marked the first instance of such an action amid ceasefire conditions. Israel has clearly positioned itself, stating it will not officially confirm the identities until DNA testing is complete. Among the recovered were Shiri Bibas and her two young children, who tragically were kidnapped by Hamas in October 2023.
