JERUSALEM: Hamas freed six hostages from Gaza on Saturday (Feb 22), the last living Israeli captives slated for release under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire agreement that began last month.
But hours after the Israeli hostages were handed over, Israel had yet to release the more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees it had agreed to let go in exchange.
The Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reason for the delay.
Israelis Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, all seized from the site of the Nova music festival in Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, were released in Nuseirat, central Gaza, to the Red Cross.
Dozens of militants stood guard in a crowd that had gathered to watch the handover, as masked Hamas men armed with automatic rifles stood on each side of the three men, who appeared thin and pale, as they were made to wave from the stage.
Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were earlier released in Rafah in southern Gaza.
Source: CNA
