Revealed: These are the 6 Living Hostages due to be released on Shabbat

While some of the hostages have been held for months, others have spent years in captivity, including Avraham Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have endured over a decade of uncertainty. Here are the six hostages scheduled for release, and the personal stories that highlight their resilience and the anguish their families have endured.

1. Tal Shoham (40)

Tal Shoham’s ordeal began when he, along with his wife Adi and two children, visited Kibbutz Be’eri for the Simchat Torah holiday. The family was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the attack. While Adi and the children were released after 50 days, Tal remained in captivity. Shoham’s family, who were notified that he is among those scheduled for release, describe him as a sensitive, loving man with great wisdom and curiosity. His community has eagerly awaited his return, and his resilience throughout the long months in Gaza serves as an inspiration to those who know him.

2. Omer Shem Tov (21)

Omer Shem Tov, a young man from the Nova festival, was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, along with his friends Mia and Itai Regev, who were released in an earlier exchange. During his captivity, Omer sent a live location to his family, showing him entering Gaza, but the family was unable to help him. A video showing him tied up with Itai in a truck was released by Hamas. Now, as part of the release deal, Omer is set to return home, providing his family with a much-awaited glimmer of hope.

3. Eliya Cohen (27)

Eliya Cohen was attending the Nova party in Re’im when the attack began. He, along with his fiancée Ziv Avod, sought shelter, but it became a trap as the terrorists closed in. Eliya was kidnapped and, in the months that followed, his family received reports of his deteriorating health while being held in Gaza. A video of his abduction, along with three other hostages, surfaced in June 2024. Eliya’s family has endured the pain of not knowing his fate but now look forward to his return after over 16 months of fear and uncertainty.

4. Omer Wenkert (22)

On October 7, Omer Vankrat attended the "Nova" festival, where he and his friend Kim tried to escape when the attack began. Omer texted his parents, describing the terror he was experiencing, only to be kidnapped and taken to Gaza. His family later saw a painful video of Omer handcuffed in the back of a truck. Omer’s return will provide much-needed closure for his family, who have clung to the hope of his safe return since his abduction.

5. Avraham Mengistu (38)

Avraham Mengistu’s return this Saturday marks the end of an agonizing decade in captivity. Avraham, who crossed into Gaza in 2014, has been held by Hamas for over ten years. His release after so long has been a bittersweet moment for his family, who have endured a deep sense of abandonment. Born in Ethiopia, Avraham’s journey to Israel was part of Operation Solomon when he was just five years old. After a troubled period in his life, he crossed into Gaza, where he was detained by Hamas. His release is not just a moment of relief for his family, but also a reminder of the long-lasting impact of prolonged captivity.

6. Hisham Shaaban Al-Sayed (38)

Hisham al-Sayed, a Bedouin from Hura, was captured in 2015 after crossing into Gaza voluntarily. He suffers from schizophrenia, and the conditions of his captivity have left his family deeply worried about his health. In 2022, Hamas released a video showing Hisham in a deteriorating state, wearing an oxygen mask and appearing unwell. His family anxiously awaits his return, unsure of his condition but hopeful for the possibility of his safe homecoming.

As the hostages prepare to be released, the stories of Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Avraham Mengistu, and Hisham al-Sayed are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. While their return brings immense relief to their families, it also highlights the ongoing suffering of those still held in captivity, and the long road ahead for their reintegration and healing.