Hamas released six more hostages on Saturday as part of its cease-fire deal with Israel, marking the last living captives to be freed under the current truce in Gaza.
Under the cease-fire agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing at least 33 of the nearly 100 remaining captives in Gaza, many of whom are believed to be deceased. In exchange, Hamas seeks the release of over 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces. Both parties are expected to negotiate terms to extend the truce, although an agreement seems unlikely.
Among the captives freed on Saturday, two had been held by Hamas for approximately 10 years, while four were taken during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing Gaza war.
Omer Wenkert, 23, was abducted during the October 7 assault at the Tribe of Nova music festival near the Gaza border. Video footage from the attack showed him restrained and surrounded by armed militants. He had communicated with his family before the attack, expressing fear for his safety. His grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, appealed to Russian officials for assistance in securing his release.
Eliya Cohen, 27, was also captured at the Nova festival. His girlfriend, Ziv Abud, described how he was shot during the attack and that she hid under dead bodies to avoid detection. Following the incident, Cohen's mother has been actively advocating for the release of hostages.
Hisham al-Sayed, a member of Israel's Arab Bedouin minority, has been held since 2015. His family expressed concern for his well-being, especially given his mental health condition. In 2022, Hamas released a video purportedly showing him in poor condition.
Avera Mengistu, 38, is the longest-held living Israeli hostage, having crossed into Gaza in 2014. His family has expressed deep concern over his mental health and well-being, especially after a video released by Hamas in January 2023 raised further questions about his condition.
Omer Shem Tov, 20, was abducted alongside friends at the Nova music festival. His friends were released during a previous truce, and they have publicly appealed for his return. Shem Tov's brother voiced his frustration over the end of the cease-fire, which he believes delays his brother's release.
Tal Shoham, 38, was captured from Kibbutz Be’eri. His family has been vocal about their frustration with the government's lack of progress in securing the release of hostages, and they continue to advocate for action to address the situation.
As the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches, families of the hostages remain hopeful yet anxious about the fate of their loved ones, continuing to call for efforts to secure their release.