Hamas has released six hostages from Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The freed individuals include Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert, who were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Also released were Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham Al-Sayed.
The exchange involved the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The United Nations criticized Hamas for holding public ceremonies during the handovers, calling them a “parading of hostages.” Hamas, however, defended the events as a display of Palestinian unity.
This marks the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, with 63 more captives still remaining in Gaza.
