Six Israeli hostages freed before the release of Palestinian prisoner

Hamas has released six more hostages held in Gaza, 602 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday to be free on Saturday.

The hostages issued included Israel – Taal Shohm, Omar Shem Tove, Alia Cohen and Omar Venkart of 7 October 2023.

Two other people freed, average Mengistu and Hishm al-Sed, held in Gaza for years-Since 2014, Mr. Mengistu and Since 2015 since 2015, Mr. Al-Sed.

Six last hostages are still alive which can be returned as part of the first stage of the ceasefire deal ending next Saturday. Israel and Hamas have not yet agreed to the terms of the second phase.

Later on Saturday, 602 Palestinian prisoners were designed to release, most of whom were detained after the 7 October 2023 attack.

According to a media office statement of Palestinian prisoners, the BBC understands that the released people will include 50 prisoners with 50 prisoners and 60 prisoners with high sentences.

The bodies of four more hostages are expected to be transferred to Israel next week, which is considered to be the final stage in the first phase of the ceasefire.

Hamas still has 59 hostage, about half of which is considered alive. More are ready to be freed in the next phase of a three-phase ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is scheduled to begin on 1 March.

Hamas in January, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, facilitated the Red Cross, began to release the hostages. The initial chaotic views become more choreographed, with hostage bloated by fighters in the first stages of handovers.

40 -year -old Mr. Shoham and 39 -year -old Mr. Megistu were passed in the Red Cross in Rafah, South Gaza before it was transferred to the Israeli Defense Bals (IDF).

Mr. Shohm was visiting a family in October 2023 in Kibutz Bettery, when his wife and other people, including two children, were abducted by Hamas. His arrested family members were released after 50 days.

In a statement, his family said: “This is an unforgettable moment, where all feelings are getting fast together. Our rhythm is with us.”

Mr. Mengistu, who is Ethiopian-Israel, was held near Hamas since September 2014, when he crossed North Gaza.

He and Mr. Al-Said, a Bedouin Arab Israel who entered Gaza in 2015, both faced mental health problems in the past, according to their families.

After his release, Mr. Mengistu’s family stated that he had tolerated “10 years and five months of unimaginable pain”.

Separately, in Nuserat in Central Gaza, Mr. Shem Tov, 22, Sri Cohen, 27, and 23 -year -old Mr. Venkart were freed in another public show by Hamas.

On 7 October 2023, all three were taken captive at the Nova Music Festival.

Mr. Shem Tove was initially escaped from the car when Hamas’s fighters landed on the festival, but were caught when he went back to save his friends.

Mr. Cohen hid in a shelter at the festival with his girlfriend, Ziv Abud, but discovered and went away. The shelter was bombed, but Ms. Abud survived and fled.

Mr. Venkart managed to send a text message to his family when those going to the festival were being attacked, to tell him that he was going into a safe shelter, but he lost contact with him.

Mr. Al-Said was later released privately in Gaza City on Saturday.

In Tel Aviv’s hostage class, the mob greeted the public release with Cheers as they manifested them at live feed.

Families celebrating the return of six men called all the remaining hostages to release.

“Our only request is to secure a deal to seize this window of the opportunity … return home to all the hostages,” said Mr. Shoham’s family.

The remaining hostages included 21-year-old Israel-American soldier Aidan Alexander, who was occupied on 7 October.

His mother, Yale Alexander, who was watching the hostage release of Saturday, told the BBC that it was “amazing” to see him free, but it was “very difficult” waiting for his family.

“More than dozens of youth like my son are alive, still waiting for the release,” he said. “This is the main goal, to release living people from Gaza.”

Unlike Saturday’s joyful scenes earlier this week, when the bodies of the hostages Shiri Bibas, his two young sons and another captive Oded LifeSitz were returned to Israel.