CNN
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Hamas successfully released five of the six hostages anticipated for liberation on Saturday in Gaza. These individuals were the last remaining living captives agreed to be freed at the onset of a ceasefire initiated last month.

In Nuseirat, central Gaza, thousands of people, including Hamas fighters, attended a meticulously planned ceremony where three hostages—Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert—were handed over to the Red Cross.

During the event, several children appeared on stage, wearing shirts depicting images of Hamas leaders who had been killed.

While the three released hostages appeared thinner, they seemed to be in better health compared to previous captives, whose conditions had raised concerns in Israel. Omer Shem Tov interacted with nearby Hamas fighters and even blew kisses to the crowd.

Earlier on Saturday, two other captives were released at a different site in Rafah, southern Gaza. Tal Shoham, 40, abducted from kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, and Avera Mengistu, 38, who entered Gaza in 2014, were both freed.

Following their handover to the Red Cross, the five hostages were transferred into Israeli custody, as reported by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Hisham al-Sayed, 37, an Arab-Israeli from a southern Bedouin community who entered Gaza in 2015, was also expected to be released in Nuseirat. Nevertheless, he is now set to be handed over at a different site. A Hamas source informed CNN that al-Sayed would be transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza City and is in poor health.

Reports indicate that both al-Sayed and Mengistu are suffering from significant mental health issues.

Shoham was among four of the six individuals slated for release who were captured by Hamas on October 7. Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, were abducted from the Nova music festival, while Shoham was taken from the kibbutz alongside his family, all of whom were released in November 2023.

On Friday, Hamas announced its expectation for Israel to release 602 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the hostages. Out of these, 50 individuals are serving life sentences, another 60 are serving lengthy terms, and 445 have been detained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, without any charges.

The hostages released on Saturday were the last living captives that Israel and Hamas agreed to exchange in the indirect talks held in Qatar, which led to the ceasefire agreement.

Just before their transfer to the Red Cross in Rafah, Shoham and Mengistu were publicly displayed on stage, surrounded by armed militants. They were given documents, and Shoham was compelled to address the audience.

The remains of another hostage, Shiri Bibas, were transported to Tel Aviv on Friday night.

Bibas’ remains were expected to be part of the four bodies returned on Thursday, along with her sons, Kfir and Ariel, and another captive, Oded Lifshitz.

However, forensic tests conducted by Israeli authorities revealed that although the remains included those of the two boys and Lifshitz, the fourth body was not Shiri Bibas or any other Israeli hostage, leading to public outrage.

A convoy carrying Bibas’ remains, which were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas, arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday night.

“Last night, our Shiri was brought home. After undergoing identification at the Institute for Forensic Medicine, we received the heartbreaking news this morning: our Shiri was murdered while in captivity,” stated her family through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Saturday.

Following Saturday’s releases, Hamas will still retain 63 Israeli hostages in Gaza, with at least 32 of them believed to be deceased, according to the Israeli government. This includes soldier Hadar Goldin, who has been held since 2014.

If four more remains are transferred next week, as scheduled, the initial phase of the agreement will be concluded.

Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in indirect discussions to prolong the ceasefire. These negotiations commenced over two weeks late.

On Saturday, Hamas indicated a willingness to release all remaining Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, in a single transfer in return for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in the next phase of the ceasefire.

This article has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Tim Lister, Lucas Lilieholm, and Brad Lendon contributed to this report.