Israeli hostage kisses his Hamas captive as he and two others are handed over

TDT | Agencies
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A traumatized Israeli hostage was seen kissing a Hamas fighter on the head as he and two other prisoners were handed over in an emotionally charged ceremony, just hours after two more were released to Israeli officials. In unprecedented scenes, Omer Shem Tov, 22, was photographed planting a kiss on the head of a gun-wielding masked fighter at the event in Nuseirat, central Gaza. He stood alongside fellow hostages Eliya Cohen, 27, and Omer Wenkert, 23. All three had been abducted during Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack on the Nova festival. The three hostages were seen smiling and waving at the gathered crowd, as cheers echoed from Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where thousands watched a livestream of the ceremony. They are now in the IDF’s hands and back in Israel.

Omer Shem Tov’s father, Malki Shem Tov, spoke to Israeli broadcasters, saying the family’s mission of bringing him home was finally complete after 505 days of worry, fear, and longing. Omer’s grandmother, Sara, told Channel 12 that his jovial demeanor was typical: "That’s Omer. He gets on with everyone. Even Hamas… They love him even there." The event followed the handover of Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, who were released to the Red Cross after being paraded by masked gunmen.