Two Israeli hostages were released on Saturday by Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Avera Mengistu, who was taken captive after walking into Gaza a decade ago, and Tal Shoham, who was abducted during the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, were the first group of hostages to be released. Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen and Omer Wenkert were later handed over in Nuseirat, with another hostage due to be released, in exchange for more than 600 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Three more Israeli hostages were released separately in the Nuseirat area in central Gaza. Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert were seen waving on stage in front of Hamas propaganda
