Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages—Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert—to the Red Cross in central Gaza’s Nuseirat, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, confirmed on Saturday.
The handover took place during a staged propaganda ceremony where the three hostages, appearing thin but upright, were brought on stage to receive certificates from Hamas operatives.
The hostages smiled and waved during the event, though it is unclear whether their participation was coerced.
Their families in Israel reacted with joy upon witnessing their release via live broadcasts.
A fourth hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, is expected to be transferred to the Red Cross at a separate location in Gaza City without a public ceremony.
The IDF stated that the Red Cross is now transporting the released hostages to Israeli forces inside Gaza, where they will be escorted out of the Strip.
“The IDF is prepared to receive an additional hostage who is due to be transferred to the Red Cross soon,” the military added, referring to al-Sayed.
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