Hamas Releases 6 More Israeli Prisoners, 602 Palestinian Prisoners to Be Released Today

Hamas Releases 6 More Israeli Prisoners, 602 Palestinian Prisoners to Be Released Today

Jerusalem, February 22 – Hamas released six living prisoners from Gaza on Saturday, in exchange for Israel releasing several hundred Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel confirmed that the body returned the day before was that of Shiri Vibas.

Shiri Vibas, her two children, and her husband were captured during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. There had been confusion that the body released on Thursday belonged to Shiri Vibas, but on Friday night, Hamas returned a new body, which her family confirmed was hers.

In a statement, Shiri Vibas' family said, "Our Shiri returned last night," and her identity was confirmed through Israel's Forensic Medicine Institute.

In Gaza, armed and masked Hamas fighters gathered at two locations, Rafah and Nusseirat, where the six living prisoners were handed over to the Red Cross. They will later be transferred to Israeli forces. This marks the first phase of the release, with six out of the 33 prisoners being freed.

The six individuals include: Eliya Cohen (27), Tal Shoham (40), Omer Shem Tov (22), and Omer Wenkert (23), who were captured during the Hamas attack on October 7. The other two, Hisham al-Sayed (36) and Avra Mengistu (39), had entered Gaza a decade ago for separate reasons and were captured.

In exchange, Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.