Hamas frees 6 Israeli hostages as end of Gaza ceasefire’s 1st phase nears
Hamas on Saturday freed six Israeli hostages as part of a fragile truce agreement, with the expectation that hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange. This marks the culmination of the first phase of the truce and follows an emotional period in Israel, including the identification of Shiri Bibas' remains after a previous handover of a different body.
The released hostages included Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, and Avera Mengistu, who were handed over to the Red Cross at ceremonies in Gaza. Bibas, along with her two young sons, had become symbols of the Israeli hostages' plight after being captured during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that initiated over 15 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered at "Hostages Square," reacting with applause and tears as they watched the live broadcast of the releases.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hamas on Saturday freed six Israeli hostages as part of a fragile truce agreement, with the expectation that hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange. This marks the culmination of the first phase of the truce and follows an emotional period in Israel, including the identification of Shiri Bibas' remains after a previous handover of a different body.
The released hostages included Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, and Avera Mengistu, who were handed over to the Red Cross at ceremonies in Gaza. Bibas, along with her two young sons, had become symbols of the Israeli hostages' plight after being captured during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that initiated over 15 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. In Tel Aviv, crowds gathered at "Hostages Square," reacting with applause and tears as they watched the live broadcast of the releases.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
