UPDATE 2 - Hamas hands over 5 Israeli captives to Red Cross in Rafah, Nuseirat

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By Ikram Kouachi

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over on Saturday five Israeli captives to the Red Cross in two locations in Gaza as part of the seventh exchange under the Jan. 19 ceasefire deal.

Two captives were released in Rafah, southern Gaza: Tal Shoham, an operative in the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, and Avera Mengistu, who was captured in 2014 under mysterious circumstances when he entered Gaza.

Later, Hamas released three more Israeli captives – Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert – in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip.

The sixth hostage, Hisham Al-Sayed, is due to be released later Saturday without a formal ceremony.

Representatives of the Red Cross signed an official transfer protocol with the Al-Qassam Brigades, ensuring the safe delivery of the captives.

The Israeli army in a statement confirmed receiving the captives, saying they were on their way to Tel Aviv where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation.

In return, 602 Palestinians held in Israeli jails will be freed.

The ceasefire deal took effect last month, pausing Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,000 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.