Hamas handed over three more Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in the final exchange. The three hostages in Israel are Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen. They were taken to Hamas and paraded on the stage in the town of Nusairat. They obtained and held the release certificate before being handed over to Red Cross officials.
An Israeli hostage identified as Omer Shem Tov waved on stage and kissed the foreheads of the two Hamas members.
⚡⚡️ # Kissing the forehead of two Hamas members who destroy Israel’s “hostages”
– War Monitor (@warmonitors) February 22, 2025
A fleet of the Red Cross took hostages from the ceremony.
According to the Israeli era, Omer’s father, Marki Shem Tov, said that his son’s happy attitude in the release showed his personality. “Omer is thin, but bright, bright, the most positive in the world,” Shem Tov tells Channel 12 over a video call.
“We didn’t even know what he looked like. He just came out, surprised us all with smiles, waves – it’s just crazy,” he says.
“It’s Omer,” she says… he’s exactly that kind of kid… he’s with everyone. Even Hamas… they love him there too. ” His brother said, “He’s always positive.”
According to the IDF, the released hostages Omer Shem Tov, Elijah Cohen and Omer Wenkart spent 505 days in Hamas prisoners and are now crossing the border with Israel.
The released hostages arrived at the IDF facility for physical and mental testing.
