Twisted Hamas militants freed five Israeli hostages, with another to be released separately later, after a sick stunt in which they paraded the remains of hostages killed in captivity just days ago.
The first two Israeli hostages, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were put into Red Cross vehicles after being brought out onto a stage by masked and armed Hamas fighters in front of a crowd in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday morning.
Three more hostages were then released in the second handover in Nuseirat, central Gaza.
Images show family and friends of the hostages watching their release live on TV.
The handovers are set to be followed by the freeing of more than 600 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The releases come following fears the fragile ceasefire could be shattered amid heightened tensions.
Earlier this week, Israel said Hamas had returned the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother of two who the militants had abducted during their )October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
The remains that Hamas transferred with her young sons on Thursday were later determined to be those of an unidentified Palestinian woman.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “a cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire agreement, while Hamas suggested it was a mistake.
On Friday, a second body was handed over, and on Saturday morning, Bibas’ family said Israeli forensic authorities had confirmed the remains were hers.
The family said: “For 16 months we sought certainty, and now that it’s here, it brings no comfort, though we hope it marks the beginning of closure.”
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