Israel and Hamas Trade Hostages as The Initial Stage of The Shaky Truce Comes to an End

Even as increased hostilities between the two sides cast doubt on the viability of the precarious ceasefire agreement, Hamas released all six Israeli prisoners in the most recent exchange on Saturday. The six included two Israeli men who were kidnapped while visiting his family in southern Israel and three Israeli men who were taken from the Nova music festival when militants crossed the border on October 7, 2023. These attacks set off Israel’s nearly 16-month campaign in the Gaza Strip, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared to be a plausible genocide.

Since they each independently reached Gaza, two of the hostages had been in Hamas’ custody for about ten years. Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen were photographed on stage with Hamas fighters in the central town of Nuseirat. Shem Tov was so happy that he even blew kisses to the crowd and kissed the heads of two militants who were standing close to him.

When Cohen’s family and friends in Israel saw him for the first time, they rejoiced and screamed, “Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!” during the release. “Omer, my joy!” exclaimed Shem Tov’s grandma, who ululated in delight. She said, “My life!” upon seeing him.

The last captive, 36-year-old Hisham Al-Sayed, was freed later Saturday, according to the Israeli military. After entering Gaza on his own in 2015, the Bedouin Israeli has been detained ever since. According to his family, Al-Sayed had a prior diagnosis of schizophrenia, as reported by Israeli media.

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