Abdelrahman
Six Israeli Hostages Released After October 2023 Kidnappings by Hamas
By Lucy Clarke-Billings, BBC News
On Saturday, six Israeli hostages, four of whom were abducted during the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, were freed. Among them were Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert, all taken captive at the Nova music festival.
The other two hostages released, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, had been held in Gaza for several years—Mr. Mengistu since 2014 and Mr. al-Sayed since 2015. Later on the same day, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were expected to be released as part of the exchange agreement. However, there was a delay in this process, and the timing of the release is anticipated to be clarified following discussions within Israel’s security cabinet.
The release of these six Israeli hostages marks the conclusion of the first stage of a ceasefire agreement set to conclude next Saturday. Discussions between Israel and Hamas regarding the next phase are ongoing. Reports indicate that among the 602 Palestinian prisoners awaited for release, about 50 are serving life sentences.
Additionally, the remains of four other hostages are expected to be transferred to Israel, completing the first phase of the ceasefire. Currently, 62 hostages captured on October 7, 2023, remain in Hamas custody, with half believed to be alive. More hostages are expected to be released in the upcoming stages of the ceasefire dialogue, which is scheduled to commence on March 1.
Since January, Hamas has been releasing hostages through the mediation of the Red Cross, exchanging them for Palestinian prisoners. The initial releases were chaotic but have since evolved into more organized handovers.
Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were handed over to the Red Cross in Rafah, southern Gaza, before being transferred to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Shoham was visiting family in Kibbutz Be’eri at the time of his kidnapping, which also involved his wife and two children; his family members were released after 50 days.
Expressing their relief, Shoham’s family said, "This is an unforgettable moment, where all emotions are rapidly mixing together. Our Tal is with us."
Mengistu and Al-Sayed Released
Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, had been under Hamas captivity since September 2014 after he crossed into northern Gaza. His release on Saturday was accompanied by a profound sense of relief from his family, who have advocated for his return for nearly a decade. "After nearly a decade of fighting for Hisham’s return, the long-awaited moment has arrived," they stated in a press release.
Hisham al-Sayed, a Bedouin Arab Israeli, was similarly held by Hamas since 2015. His family’s statement called for privacy as they reconnect and adjust to his return.
Simultaneously in Nuseirat, Gaza, hostages Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were released in another public display facilitated by Hamas. All three of these young men were taken during the chaotic events at the Nova music festival.
Omer Shem Tov, 22, managed to escape initially but returned when he realized his friends were still in danger. Eliya Cohen, 27, and his girlfriend took refuge during the attack but were ultimately discovered. Cohen’s girlfriend survived the ordeal, while Wenkert kept in touch with his family via messages until contact was lost.
Celebration and Calls for Further Releases
The atmosphere in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square was one of celebration as families watched the releases unfold on live feeds. Calls for the liberation of remaining hostages resonated strongly, with Mr. Shoham’s family stating, "Our only request is to seize this window of opportunity to secure a deal that will… return all hostages home."
Among those still being held is Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier abducted on October 7. His mother described the mixed emotions of witnessing the release of others while anxiously awaiting news about her son.
“It’s wonderful to see them free, but for my family, it’s extremely challenging to wait,” she said. “There are many young men alive, like my son, still waiting to be released. This is the main goal—bringing the living home from Gaza.”
Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the day, the recent joyous scenes were tempered by the earlier transfer of hostages’ remains, highlighting the stark realities of the ongoing conflict.
