Hamas frees six hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

Hamas released six Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, bringing to an end the current stage of swaps in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails.

Among the freed hostages were Eliya Cohen (27), Omer Shem Tov (22), and Omer Wenkert (23)—all kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023.

Tal Shoham (40) and Avera Mengistu (39) were released in Rafah, while Hisham Al-Sayed (36) was handed over in Gaza City without a public ceremony.

Hostages paraded in public ceremonies

The releases were marked by public handover events, in which Hamas surrounded the captives, who appeared thin and pale.

Some were forced to wave to the gathered crowds, a practice widely criticized by the United Nations, which called it “the parading of hostages.”

Hamas defended the ceremonies as a symbol of Palestinian unity, but Israel and international observers condemned them as propaganda tactics.

The ceasefire nearly collapsed after Hamas misidentified a body handed over on Thursday as that of Shiri Bibas, who was abducted with her two young sons. On Friday, Hamas returned her actual remains, confirming her death.

The Israeli military said forensic evidence showed that her 10-month-old son Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel had been executed by Hamas captors "in cold blood." Hamas, however, claimed the family was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, had been held separately and was freed on February 1.

What’s next?

With 63 hostages still in Gaza, less than half of whom are believed to be alive, mediators are now working toward a second phase of the ceasefire. The aim is to secure the return of all remaining captives while negotiating a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack has killed over 48,000 people, created a massive humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.

Hamas’ cross-border raid into Israeli territory claimed 1,200 lives. It also took more than 250 people captive

Despite the fragile ceasefire, both sides remain deeply entrenched, and the path to a definitive resolution remains uncertain.