Why This Israeli Hostage Kissed His Hamas Captor Upon His Release

Three Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas in central Gaza, with one hostage, Omer Shem Tov, 22, seen kissing a masked Hamas militant on the head. The moment unfolded during a ceremony in Nuseirat as he stood alongside fellow captives Eliya Cohen, 27, and Omer Wenkert, 23.

A Family’s Relief After 505 Days

The three hostages, who were abducted from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack, were seen smiling, laughing, and waving at the gathered crowd. Their release was met with cheers in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where thousands watched a livestream of the event. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that all three were safely back in Israel.

Omer Shem Tov’s father, Malki Shem Tov, expressed his relief to Israeli broadcasters, saying their long and painful wait had finally ended after “505 days of worry, fear, and longing.”

His grandmother, Sara, speaking to Channel 12, noted that Omer’s demeanor was not surprising: “That’s Omer. He gets on with everyone. Even Hamas… They love him even there.”

Earlier Hostage Releases and Hamas Statement

Prior to this release, Hamas had handed over two hostages—Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39—to the Red Cross after parading them on stage before masked gunmen. A sixth hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, is set to be released separately without a ceremony, which Hamas stated was out of respect for his family. However, no specific timeline was provided for his release.

Al-Sayed, a Palestinian Israeli citizen of Bedouin descent, was kidnapped in 2014 after crossing into Gaza. Human Rights Watch has reported that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and a personality disorder. Hamas had previously released a video of him in June 2022, showing him lying on a cot with an oxygen mask.

Hamas Hostages Arrive in Israel as Ceasefire Negotiations Continue

Both Shoham and Mengistu are now in Israel, according to military and intelligence sources. Hamas, in a separate statement, indicated its willingness to proceed with the next phase of the ceasefire deal.

A joint statement from the IDF and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) confirmed: “They are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with members of their families. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are due to be transferred to the Red Cross in the near future.”

Hundreds of people gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square erupted in applause and tears as they watched the handover broadcast live.

Israeli Government Reacts to Hostage Dispute

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation, calling the misidentification of bodies by Hamas “a cruel and malicious violation” of the agreement. The family of Shiri Bibas confirmed that forensic authorities had positively identified her remains, contradicting earlier IDF reports that the remains belonged to an unidentified person.

Israeli authorities have also confirmed the deaths of Bibas’s two young sons, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz. However, the fourth body handed over was identified as an unknown woman from Gaza. The IDF has accused Hamas of murdering the Bibas children “with their bare hands.”

Also Read: Hamas Set to Release 6 More Israeli Hostages From Gaza in Latest Round of Ceasefire