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Hamas is the sixth prisoner of war to be handed over to Israeli authorities in Gaza city without a ceremony.
Hamas released five Israeli prisoners from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons in the final swap in the first phase of a ceasefire between Palestinian groups and Israel .
The first two prisoners, Tar Shoham and Avera Mengäu, were handed over to the Red Cross of Rafa in South Gaza on Saturday after they were led to the stage by armed Hamas fighters.
Three more prisoners of war – Elijah Cohen, Omer Wenkart and Omer Shem Tov were later released in another ceremony by officials of the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gajan.
In separate statements, Israeli forces confirmed that the prisoners had been ordered to the Army.
A Palestinian source told Al Jazeera that his sixth prisoner, Hisham Al-Sayed, would be handed over to Israeli authorities without a ceremony.
The 37-year-old Bedouin Israel, who was taken prisoner when he entered Gaza in April 2015, is expected to be handed over to a location in Gaza city in the northern part of the enclave.
The six are the last of a group of 33 to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, and came into effect on January 19th.
Reported by Nusairat, Hani Mahmoud of Al Jazeera said a large crowd gathered to witness the release of three prisoners.
“We can see reinforcements from the Kassam Brigade to maintain order and security of the process,” he noted Hamas’ armed wings. “Compared to past hand observers, the scene here at Nuseirat appears to be more organized.”
Our correspondent said that Hamas did not explain why there was a last-minute change in the plan to release four prisoners of war in Nusairat.
Talking Al Jazeera before the release, Professor Sami Alalal of Istanbul Zyim University said Hamas’ elaborate staging was a source of responsible harm by showing the world that Hamas is trying to maintain them. He said it was a way to show that he is a stakeholder. [the captives] Live and be safe.”
Later on Saturday, Israel is scheduled to release 602 Palestinians in prison. According to Hamas, it includes 445 people detained by Israeli forces during the war with Gaza and dozens who serve the conditions of their long life.
The fragile ceasefire was threatened by a misidentified derailment of the body released Thursday, as that of Siri Bibas, who was captured by two Hamas-led young sons and husband on October 7, 2023.
Later Friday, Hamas handed over Vivas’ body.
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