Israel Names 6 Hostages Hamas Is Expected To Release From Captivity on Saturday
Families celebrate the expected release of six hostages from Gaza, while others mourn the dead and demand urgent action for those still held
Six Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are set to be released on Saturday, while the bodies of four others will be transferred to Israel on Thursday, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The announcement brought both relief and heartbreak to the families of those affected, as efforts continue to secure the release of those still in captivity.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the news but stressed that time is running out for those who remain imprisoned. “We are grateful for each life returned, but we cannot rest until all our loved ones are home,” the organization said in a statement. The group urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump to advance negotiations to secure the freedom of all remaining hostages.
Four of the six individuals set to return—Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert—were kidnapped on October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting more than 240. The other two, Hisham Al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu, have been held in Gaza for nearly a decade after crossing the border under unclear circumstances.
The Hostages Returning Home
Eliya Cohen, 27, was abducted from the Nova Music Festival, where he had been celebrating with his fiancée, Ziv Abud, her nephew, Amit, and Amit’s girlfriend, Karin. As Hamas gunmen stormed the area, Cohen and his group ran for shelter. Amit and Karin were killed in the attack, while Ziv survived by hiding under their bodies for hours. Cohen was taken into Gaza.
Upon hearing the news of his impending release, Ziv posted on social media: “Eliya is coming home!”
Tal Shoham, 40, was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri, where he was visiting family for the holiday of Simchat Torah. He holds Austrian and Italian citizenship and worked in economic forecasting while volunteering with Magen David Adom. He was kidnapped along with his wife, Adi, their children Naveh and Yahel, and several other family members. His wife and children were released as part of a November hostage deal, but Shoham remained in captivity.
Omer Shem Tov, 22, a Herzliya resident with aspirations of becoming an actor, was also abducted from the Nova Music Festival. He had been at the event with Maya and Itay Regev, who were later released during a ceasefire deal in November.
His release is being celebrated by his friends and family, including Maya Regev, who wrote on Instagram: “A few more days and you will be with us. Hold on a little longer.”
Omer Wenkert, 23, from Gedera, was also taken from the Nova festival. Described as charismatic and full of life, he had been working as a restaurant manager and was preparing to start a restaurant management course. His family has expressed concern over his health, as he suffers from colitis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the digestive tract. They fear his captors may not have provided him with necessary medication.
His friend, Kim Damti, who attended the festival with him, was killed while hiding in a rocket shelter.
Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, a Bedouin Israeli from Hura, has been held by Hamas since 2015, after crossing into Gaza. His family has stated that he suffers from schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. In 2022, Hamas released a video of him lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask, marking the first confirmation of his condition since his abduction.
His father, Shaaban Al-Sayed, reacted cautiously to the news, telling Israeli media: “We are not celebrating yet. We were informed that he is returning home, but we will wait until Saturday. We thank the public for their support during this long period.”
Avera Mengistu, 39, an Ethiopian-born Israeli from Ashkelon, crossed into Gaza in September 2014 following an argument with his mother. He has been held captive ever since. His family and human rights organizations have long pushed for his release, noting that he was suffering from mental health issues at the time of his disappearance.
For years, there was no information on his condition until Hamas released a video in January 2023 showing him alive.
The Return of Four Bodies
While six hostages are set to come home alive, the remains of four others will be returned to Israel on Thursday. Israeli authorities have not publicly identified them, though Hamas has said that they will include the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were 9 months old and 4 years old, respectively, when they were abducted.
The Push for Further Negotiations
Israeli officials have been engaged in indirect negotiations with Hamas, with mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. Talks have stalled over Hamas’ demands, which reportedly include an end to Israeli military operations. Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel will not agree to a permanent ceasefire without the full return of all hostages and the removal of Hamas from power.
Families of the captives have been vocal in urging the government to continue its efforts. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has organized protests and campaigns calling for a more aggressive approach to securing the release of those still in captivity.
While the return of these six individuals is a breakthrough, the forum emphasized that it is only a partial victory. “As we embrace our returning family members, we must emphasize that many hostages remain in captivity, and time is of the essence,” the organization said.
International Efforts and Response
The hostage crisis has drawn widespread international attention, with US, European, and Arab leaders working to broker further agreements.
Despite international pressure, Hamas has sought to extract greater concessions from Israel. Reports from released hostages have detailed harsh conditions in captivity, adding urgency to the calls for further action.
As Israel prepares to welcome back the six hostages on Saturday, families continue to push for the release of those still in captivity. While the news brings hope to some, it also serves as a painful reminder that many remain missing, with their fate unknown.
For the families of those still held, the fight is far from over.