Hamas prepares to release 6 "Israeli" captives in seventh prisoner swap

A sixth “Israeli” captive freed on Saturday by Hamas after spending nearly a decade in captivity in Gaza is in the army's custody and has crossed into “Israeli” territory, the military said.

"A short while ago, the returning hostage Hisham al-Sayed crossed the border into Israeli territory accompanied by IDF (military) and ISA (security agency) forces," a statement from the military said, adding that he was "on his way to an initial reception point in southern Israel".

An additional sixth captive was transferred to the Red Cross, according to the information communicated by them to the “Israeli” military – a statement by the army said just now.

He is on his way to “Israeli” forces in the Gaza Strip for his handover.

Three more captives freed by Hamas in central Gaza on Saturday have crossed into “Israeli” territory, the military said.

Three more “Israeli” captives freed by Hamas fighters at a ceremony in central Gaza Saturday were now in the custody of “Israeli” forces, the military said.

Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert were paraded by Hamas fighters on a stage where they waved and held release certificates before they were handed over to officials from the Red Cross.

“Israeli” authorities have not provided any details regarding the killing of three Bibas family captives after they were taken to Gaza during October, the family said in a statement.

"Any publication of details (including references to the treatment of the bodies) is against the family's wishes, and we ask that this be avoided," the statement said.

"The family has not received any such details from official sources," it said, following an “Israeli” military announcement claiming that the two young sons of captives Shiri Bibas were killed by "terrorists with their bare hands".

A Red Cross convoy carrying three more released “Israeli” captives departed a ceremony in which Hamas fighters handed them over in the central Gaza's Nuseirat area Saturday.

Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert were paraded on stage where they waved and held release certificates before they were handed over to officials from the Red Cross.

Omer Shem Tov, an “Israeli” captive, was seen kissing the head of an Al-Qassam fighter shortly before he made his way to a Red Cross vehicle for his release.

On a stage set up by Hamas in central Gaza’s Nuseirat, a Red Cross representative signed the released documents for three “Israeli” captives.

The three are: Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have decided to release 'Israeli' captive Hisham al-Sayed in Gaza without an official ceremony, according to sources cited by Al Jazeera.

Reasons behind the decision

Sources within Qassam Brigades revealed that the decision was made out of respect for Palestinian citizens of Israeli Occupation, emphasizing that the recruitment of Palestinians from inside Israeli Occupation into the ranks of the 'Israeli' military is widely rejected by all Palestinians.

The brigades added that 'Israel' abandoned al-Sayed for 10 years due to his Palestinian origins, despite having served in the 'Israeli' army.

The release comes amid an ongoing prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israeli Occupation, which has seen the release of prisoners on both sides.

The handover ceremony for three “Israeli” captives by Hamas to the Red Cross has begun in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

The three are: Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert

Hebrew newspaper Haaretz quoted a source revealing that the Israeli Occupation army is preparing to receive a captive from Gaza City.

Red Cross vehicles headed to the second handover area in Al-Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip.

Al-Qassam Brigades handed over the two "Israeli" captives, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, to the Red Cross in Rafah.

Avera Mengistu was released after 11 years of being held in the Gaza Strip. He crossed into the strip on Sept. 7, 2014.

They also freed the "Israeli" soldier Tal Shoham after 505 days of captivity.

Hamas spokesperson Abdul-Latif Al-Qanou confirmed that the movement reaffirms its readiness to complete the exchange process in one comprehensive package, based on a definitive ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli Occupation, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

He indicated that ensuring the completion of future exchanges requires the Israeli Occupation's commitment to the remaining terms of the agreement and the implementation of the humanitarian protocol that was agreed upon.

Hamas also stated that 33 days have passed since the beginning of the first phase of the agreement, without the Israeli Occupation fully implementing the terms of the agreement in this phase, which is considered a violation on its part.

He warned of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, emphasizing that this requires pressure on the occupation from mediators to implement the humanitarian protocol, reiterating the necessity of fulfilling the agreed commitments to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in the sector.

He added that the movement is continuing to complete the exchange processes and hold the Israeli Occupation accountable for fulfilling the remaining parts of the agreement.

Red Cross vehicles arrive at the site for the handover of "Israeli" captives in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasim confirmed that the Israeli Occupation has not yet provided the lists of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Qasim added that Hamas is committed to the agreement as long as the occupation adheres to it, and clarified that negotiations for the second phase of the agreement have not yet begun, noting that communications with intermediaries are ongoing to achieve positive results.

He also emphasized that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip must occur with national consensus, pointing out that his movement will not allow any external forces to intervene in this matter.

Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release the following "Israeli" captives on Saturday, February 22.

The names of the captives are the following:

1. Eliya Cohen
2. Omer Shem Tov
3. Omer Wenkert
4. Tal Shoham
5. Avera Mengistu
6. Hisham Al-Sayed

Al-Qassam Brigades deployed extensively in Rafah, southern Gaza, in preparation for the handover of captives as part of the seventh batch of the exchange deal and ceasefire.

The brigades are preparing to hand over six captives as part of the seventh phase of the exchange deal in Gaza.

A banner reading "The land distinguishes its people from the dual-nationality foreigners" was raised in Al-Nuseirat camp in Gaza during preparations for the handover of six captives as part of the seventh batch of the exchange deal.