Hamas freed five Israeli hostages under phase one of ceasefire

Hamas has released five Israeli hostages, including Avera Mengistu, who had been held captive in Gaza for over ten years.

Mengistu was captured in 2014 after crossing into Gaza and was released alongside Tal Shoham, 40, who was seized during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in Rafah.

Three additional Israelis—Omer Wenkert, 23, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Eliya Cohen, 27—were also freed after being kidnapped during the same attack.