GAZA: Hamas has released five Israeli captives from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli prisons as part of the final swap under the first phase of the ceasefire between the Palestinian group and Israel.
The first two captives, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were handed over to the Red Cross in Rafah in southern Gaza on Saturday after they were led onto a stage by armed Hamas fighters. Three more captives, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert and Omer Shem Tov were released in a separate ceremony in Nuseirat in central Gaza.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources have confirmed to Al Jazeera that Hisham al-Sayed, the sixth captive, will be handed over to Israeli authorities without a ceremony.
The 37-year-old Bedouin Israeli, who entered the Gaza Strip in April 2015 and was stopped by Hamas and taken captive, is expected to be handed over at a location in Gaza City in the northern part of the enclave.
As of posting time, there is no confirmation yet on al-Sayed’s actual release.
The six are the last from a group of 33 to be freed in the first stage of the ceasefire, which took effect on January 19. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Nuseirat, said a large crowd has gathered to witness the release of the three captives.
