Israel identifies six hostages set for release in upcoming Hamas handover

Israel confirmed on February 18 that the final six living hostages designated for release under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement would be freed on February 22, following an announcement by Hamas that it would expedite their handover.

According to the latest reports by Israeli media, quoted by Caliber.Az, the six hostages include Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been in Hamas captivity since they independently crossed into Gaza in 2014 and 2015, respectively. 

The other four hostages were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack. They include Tal Shoham, a father, as well as three young men taken from the Nova music festival: Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, and Eliya Cohen.

Additionally, Hamas is set to return the remains of eight hostages who were killed, with these transfers expected to take place over the next two weeks.

Families of all six living hostages confirmed that their loved ones were included in the list of captives scheduled for release.

At present, Hamas is holding a total of 73 hostages in Gaza, both living and deceased. The first phase of the ongoing exchange deal, which commenced on January 19, involves the release of 33 hostages, of whom 25 are confirmed to be alive. Thus far, only one deceased hostage from this group has been publicly identified — Shlomo Manzur. To date, six groups of hostages have been released.

The ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached on January 15, following mediation efforts. Under the initial 42-day phase of the deal, Hamas is set to release 33 hostages abducted on October 7, 2023, while Israel is to withdraw some of its forces from Gaza and release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Of the 33 hostages in this phase, eight are believed to be dead, and their remains will be returned to Israel.

The Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals. In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. According to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 47,000 people have been killed since the beginning of Israel’s offensive.

By Tamilla Hasanova