Vehicles believed to be carrying captives arrive at handover location in Nuseirat
A convoy of vehicles that is believed to be carrying three Israeli captives has arrived at a handover location in central Gaza’s Nuseirat.
Cohen, Wenkert and Shem Tov are expected to emerge from the vehicles shortly and walk over to the stage after an initial interview with a Red Cross representative.
Three Israeli captives appear on stage in Nuseirat
Israeli captives Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert and Omer Shem Tov have appeared on stage at the handover location in Nuseirat.
They are smiling and gesturing to a cheering crowd of Palestinians. One of the captives kissed the forehead of a Palestinian fighter standing next to him.
Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen and Omer Wenkert are released in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip.
- Eliya Cohen, 27, was taken captive while attending the Nova festival when the October 7 attack took place.
- Omer Wenkert, 23, was also taken captive while attending the concert.
- Omer Shem Tov, 22, is a computer programmer who had also attended the festival when he was captured.
Tel Aviv audience cheers as captives released in Nuseirat
A large number of Israelis in Tel Aviv have watched the scenes from Nuseirat as the three captives were being released.
Israeli outlets broadcast live footage of families and supporters of released captives gathered in a room to watch, with people clapping, cheering, chanting and hugging as the captives were brought on the stage to be handed over to the Red Cross.
On the streets of Tel Aviv, many more gathered in anticipation and celebration, holding up images and banners.
People react as they await the captives’ release, in Tel Aviv, Israel, February 22
Israeli army says it receives three freed captives from Nuseirat
The Israeli military says Israeli captives Cohen, Wenkert and Shem Tov have been handed over by the Red Cross to the army.
They are en route to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment.
It also said the military is prepared to receive the sixth captive, who is due to be transferred to the Red Cross soon.
