Six Hostages Repatriated to Israel Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Negotiations with Hamas – One America News Network
OAN Staff Abril Elfi
9:05 AM – Saturday, February 22, 2025
Six additional Israeli hostages have been released and are now reunited with their families.
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On Saturday, Hamas released another six Israeli hostages as the precarious ceasefire persists.
The first two men released were Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39. Video footage captured them appearing frail and fearful as they were escorted to a stage in front of a crowd, surrounded by masked assailants. They were handed over to the Red Cross and were on their way to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Later, three more hostages—Omer Wenkert, 23, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Eliya Cohen, 27—were freed in the central town of Nuseirat. They were placed in Red Cross vehicles that proceeded toward Israel.
Lastly, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was also returned to the Red Cross after spending nearly a decade in Gaza, having been abducted by Hamas in April 2015.
“A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, the two returning hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory and are currently en route to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with family members,” the statement mentioned after the release of Shoham and Mengistu earlier that day.
“According to the information provided by the Red Cross, three hostages were handed over to them, and they are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” a later statement indicated, adding: “The IDF is prepared to receive an additional hostage expected to be transferred to the Red Cross soon.”
Shoham’s family expressed in a statement that his release from Hamas is “an unforgettable moment, filled with a whirlwind of emotions.”
“Our Tal is with us. We extend our gratitude to all the people of Israel who supported us throughout these lengthy days of distress,” the statement continued. “During this critical period, we ask for privacy for Tal, Adi, and the children. Our only request is to seize this opportunity to secure a deal that will bring fathers back to their children—children need their fathers—and ensure all hostages are returned home: the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for eternal rest. There is a window of opportunity; we must not let it slip away.”
Mengistu’s family also issued a statement highlighting their “ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering.”
Two of the released captives, Mengistu and Al-Sayed, are civilians who had been detained after entering Gaza voluntarily more than a decade ago.
Shoham was abducted on October 7th, alongside his wife, two children, mother-in-law, and two other family members, all of whom were released in November 2023.
One of the hostages reportedly returned with news about Guy Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, according to TPS-IL, an Israeli news agency. Gilboa-Dalal is not among those scheduled for release in the current phase of the agreement.
As reported by NBC News, 183 Palestinian detainees were released from Israeli custody in exchange.
The remaining hostages are expected to be released in small groups every Saturday as the ceasefire agreement progresses.
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