Hamas on Saturday left the last six living hostages in the first phase of a ceasefire with Israel for a week, and questions in the next phase clouded the future of fragile trade. has been released.
Six people include three Israelis seized from the Nova Music Festival and their families in southern Israel when Hamas-led extremists attacked the border on October 7, 2023. Another man, filmed in the film, carried out the attack that sparked a 16-month campaign in Gaza.
The other two hostages were each detained by Hamas for about ten years after they entered Gaza themselves.
The five prisoners were handed over in a gradual ceremony in which the Red Cross and Israel accused of being cruel and rude, escorted by armed Hamas fighters masked in front of hundreds of Palestinians.
Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen posed alongside Hamas Fighters. A shining Shemtob kissed the two militants on the head and kissed the crowd.
Seeing the release, Cohen’s family and friends of Israel cheered, “Elijah! Elijah! Elijah!”
“You’re a hero,” Shem Tov told his parents that he was hugging, laughing and crying near the Gaza border. “You’re amazing. You don’t know how much I dreamed of you.”
Earlier on Saturday, two other hostages – Tar Shoham, 40, and 38-year-old Abela Mengäthu, were released. They arrived in Israel and both were taken to medical centres for testing. Mengistu from Ethiopia and Israel entered Gaza alone in 2014. His family told Israeli media he was struggling with mental health issues.
The Israeli military then said that the eventual hostage of 36-year-old Hisham al-Seid had been released. Bedouin Israel travelled to Gaza on its own in 2015. His family told Israeli media, who was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia.
More than 600 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel should be released later on Saturday. This is the largest day prisoner release in the first phase of the Cerez Fire.
Tensions were rising ahead of the release of hostages against the heartbreaking conflict when Hamas handed out the wrong bodies for Silivivvas, an Israeli mother who was accused of two young boys.
The body Hamas, which he transferred along with his son’s body on Thursday, has been decided to be the body of an unidentified Palestinian woman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to revenge for “cruel and malicious violations,” but Hamas suggested it was a mistake.
On Friday night, a small extremist group believed they were holding Viva and her son, the Palestinian Mujahedine Brigade. Vivas’ family said Israeli forensic authorities confirmed that the body was her.
“It’s not bringing comfort because it’s here now, but we hope it marks the beginning of the closure,” the family said.
Hamas on Saturday claimed that Israel was responsible for the death of Vivas’ children, calling it a lie aimed at justifying Israel’s military action against civilians in Gaza.
There are difficult discussions about the next stage of the ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement paused the deadliest and most devastating battle ever between Israel and Hamas, but there is a threat of war resuming after the first phase ends a week later.
Hamas said he will release four more bodies next week, completing the first phase of the ceasefire. Hamas then holds around 60 hostages, and is believed to be about half alive.
No talks on the second phase of the Cerefire have yet to be launched. These negotiations can be more difficult. Hamas will release more hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal.
Israeli officials said Netanyahu will meet with security advisors on Saturday evening for consultations on the future of the ceasefire. Officials said the discussion “will focus on all of our hostages, our goal of living and dying.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity as the meeting had not been formally announced.
Hamas said he would not release the remaining prisoners without a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israel. Netanyahu says he is committed to destroying Hamas’ troops, governing its capabilities and returning all hostages, with full support from the Trump administration.
Freed hostages bring relief and signs of life
Cohen, Shem Tob and Wenkart in their 20s were all taken in Army uniforms in their 20s, but they were not soldiers when they were accused.
“This is an unforgettable moment, and all the emotions are mixing rapidly. Our tal is with us,” Shoham’s family said in a statement, and everyone who is still captive I sought a contract to release it. “There’s a window of opportunity. Don’t miss it.”
Shoham, who also holds Austrian citizenship, was visiting Kibbutzberg’s family when Hamas militants charged during the attack on October 7th. His wife, two young children and three other relatives were released in the November 2023 exchange.
Mengistu’s family and friends saw him for the first time in over a decade, and so broke out into the Hebrew song “Here is the Light.” “Do you remember me?” asked a brother, holding his arms.
As concerns grow over the fate of hostages that remains in Gaza, Iran Gilboa Dalal, father of hostage man Gilboa Dalal, has been told by Israeli public broadcaster Kang that his family is 8 from the release of hostages. He said he received the first sign of the month. Saturday when I was detained with him.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are ready to be released
The next Saturday was Israel’s release of 620 Palestinian prisoners.
According to the Palestinian prisoners’ media office, they include 151 people who served life and other sentences, of which around 100 will be deported to other countries. Also, according to the media office, five children between the ages of 15 and 17 and five children between the ages of 18 and 19 were seized by Israeli forces in Gaza during the war, as well as 445 men and 18-year-olds. It also includes five children.
Israeli military attacks have killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it killed more than 17,000 fighter jets without providing evidence.
The attack destroyed vast areas of Gaza and reduced the entire neighborhood to tile rubs. At that height, the war drove out 90% of Gaza’s population. Many people returned home, nothing remained and found no way to rebuild.
The attack on October 7th killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war.
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shurafa reported from Jajou from Deia Al Bala in the Gaza Strip. Associated Press author Tia Goldenberg, Tel Aviv, Israel. Abdel Kareem Hana of Nusairat, Gaza Strip; And Sammy Magdy of Cairo contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s war report at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
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