Among the freed hostages are Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, all of whom were kidnapped by Hamas during the attack on the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Their abduction, along with that of many others at the festival, became one of the most harrowing episodes of that day. The three hostages were transported from central Gaza’s Nuseirat to Israeli forces via the Red Cross. Another released hostage, 36-year-old Hisham Al-Sayed, had been held in Gaza City. His family had previously stated that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and his capture had drawn concerns about his well-being throughout his prolonged captivity.
Two other hostages, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, were freed from Rafah and immediately taken to medical facilities for examination. Shoham, who also holds Austrian citizenship, had been visiting his family in Kibbutz Be’eri when Hamas launched its brutal assault. His wife, two children, and three other relatives were kidnapped alongside him. While his family members were later freed as part of the short-lived ceasefire agreement in November 2023, Shoham remained in captivity until now. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, had been in Hamas’s custody since 2014 after he entered Gaza on his own. His case had long been a point of contention between Israel and Hamas, with his family repeatedly urging the Israeli government to secure his release.
The latest developments follow the confirmation that the body handed over to Israel on Friday was that of Shiri Bibas, a 32-year-old mother of two whose abduction had become one of the most widely recognized symbols of the October 7 attacks. The initial misidentification of the body caused widespread outrage in Israel, as authorities mistakenly believed they had received Bibas’s remains earlier, only for forensic tests to reveal that it was someone else. This error provoked a furious response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the incident as “a cruel and malicious violation” and vowed retribution against Hamas. In response, Hamas claimed the mix-up had been a mistake, though Israeli officials have remained skeptical of this explanation.
As part of the current ceasefire deal, Israel is set to release 620 Palestinian prisoners later today. These include 151 individuals serving life sentences or other lengthy prison terms, with around 100 of them expected to be deported to other countries. Additionally, 445 men and 18 children aged between 15 and 17, as well as five detainees aged 18-19 and one woman, will be freed. Most of these prisoners were recently captured by Israeli forces in Gaza during the ongoing military operations.
Hamas has also announced that it will return the remains of four more hostages next week, a move that would officially mark the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. However, the future of the truce remains highly uncertain, as negotiations over the next phase are expected to be significantly more difficult. Hamas has indicated a willingness to release more hostages, but only in exchange for a broader ceasefire that includes an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli leaders, meanwhile, remain divided over the conditions of such an agreement, particularly as Prime Minister Netanyahu faces intense domestic pressure from both security officials and the families of hostages.
The war, which is now temporarily paused, began when Hamas launched a large-scale, unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has since claimed the lives of at least 48,000 people, with tens of thousands more wounded. The relentless bombardment and ground offensives have reduced much of Gaza to rubble, displacing the majority of the population and leaving many dependent on humanitarian aid.
Although the current ceasefire has provided a much-needed respite, the overall situation remains precarious. With the first phase of the truce nearing its end, attention now shifts to the difficult negotiations ahead. The possibility of extending the ceasefire hinges on both sides making significant concessions, but with tensions still high and mistrust deeply ingrained, the road to a lasting resolution appears fraught with challenges.
