Sixth captive to be given by Hamas to the Israeli authorities in Gaza City without ceremonies.
Hamas released six Israeli captives from Gaza before the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons in the final exchange under the first phase of the ceasefire between the Palestinian group and Israel.
The first two captives, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, were given to the Red Cross in Rafah in the south of Gaza on Saturday after being led to a stage by armed fighters from Hamas.
Three other captives – Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert and Omer Shem Tov – were then released to the Red Cross officials in Nuseirat in the distinct Gazan center.
Hisham Al-Sayed was the last captive to be given to the Red Cross on Saturday. The 37 -year -old Bédouin Israin Bédouin was caught in captivity when he entered Gaza in April 2015.
The six are the last of a group of 33 to be released in the first stage of the ceasefire, which entered into force on January 19.
Hani Mahmoud, from Tel Aviv Tribune, reporting from Nuseirat, said that a large crowd gathered to attend the release of the three captives.
“We see reinforcements of the Qassam brigades in order to maintain the order and security of the process,” he reported, referring to the Hamas armed wing. “Compared to past transfer, the scene here in Nuseirat seems more organized.”
Our correspondent said that Hamas had explained why there was a last minute change from the plan to release four captives in Nuseirat.
Addressing Tel Aviv Tribune before the Liberation, Professor Sami Al-Arian of the University of Istanbul Zaim declared that the elaborate staging of the transfer is a way for Hamas to point out that he is stakeholders responsible By “showing the whole world they were trying to keep them (captives) alive, keep them safe”.
Later on Saturday, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinians detained in his prisons. It includes 445 people detained by Israeli forces during his war against Gaza as well as dozens long mandates or for life, according to Hamas.
The fragile ceasefire had been threatened with derailment by the poor identification of an organization released Thursday like that of Shiri Bibas, which was caught in captivity with its two young sons and husbands in the attacks of October 7, 2023 led by Hamas.
Later Friday, Hamas handed over Bibas’s body, which, according to his family, had been confirmed as his.