Tel Aviv, Israel -- Feb. 22, 2025 - Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, and Omer Shem Tov were released Saturday from Hamas captivity and are back in Israel, after reuniting with their families at hospitals in Israel.
Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Shem-Tov arrived in Israel and were flown to hospitals. Cohen and Shem Tov arrived at Beilinson Hospital together with their families, and waved from the window.Earlier, they were transferred to the Red Cross at the handover point in Rafah. Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were released earlier, and arrived at Ichilov and Beilinson hospitals. Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Tal Shoham were kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre and spent over 500 days in captivity.Hisham al-Sayed crossed the border into Israel and was accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, arriving at the initial reception center in Re'im, where he met his family. The IDF published footage of his initial meeting with the forces, and of his family watching his release. He was brought to the Red Cross at the third handover point, in Gaza City, with no "ceremony" - a move which Hamas claimed is "out of respect for the Palestinians in Israeli territory." Al-Sayed is a Bedouin Arab citizen of Israel; he is mentally ill and crossed into Gaza on his own nearly a decade ago.Omer Wenkert was photographed on the helicopter on his way to Beilinson, wearing a necklace prepared for him with the words, "What a day I had, Samuel." According to testimonies from people who were with him in captivity, Omer often sang that song during his time as hostage.
Shoham's family gathered with his friends in Tel Aviv to watch his return. "Tal is coming back," they called, clapping their hands when his name was mentioned on television. They hung a sign with his photo and the words, "Daddy Tal, we hoped and waited for your return so much."... Read More: Arutz-7
