Israeli hostage kisses Hamas captor (X/@BRICSinfo)
In a recent hostage exchange, Hamas has handed over three Israeli captives to the Red Cross. The released hostages have been identified as Omer Vankert, Omer Shem Tov, and Elia Cohen. The handover took place in the city of Nuseirat, where the hostages were publicly presented on a stage. They waved to the crowd and displayed their release certificates before being transferred to Red Cross officials.
In a widely circulated video, one of the released hostages, identified as Omer Shem Tov, was seen waving on stage before kissing the foreheads of two Hamas members. The gesture quickly went viral on social media, sparking a wave of reactions online.
JUST IN: 🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israeli soldier held captive kisses forehead of Hamas members before being released. pic.twitter.com/oKiYWGVaZg
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) February 22, 2025
Following the release, a convoy from the Red Cross transported the hostages away from the ceremony. According to The Times of Israel, Omer’s father, Malki Shem Tov, shared his emotional response, stating that his son’s cheerful demeanor during the release reflected his personality.
“Omer is a little thinner… but he is excited, the most optimistic person in the world,” Shem Tov said in a video call with Channel 12.
“We had no idea what he would look like. He just stepped out, and his smile and wave stunned us all—it’s unbelievable,” said his father. His sister added, “That’s Omer… he is just that kind of person. He connects with everyone, even Hamas… they loved him there too.” His brother echoed, “He always, always stays positive.”
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the released hostages had spent 505 days in Hamas captivity. They have now entered Israeli territory and have been taken to an IDF facility for physical and psychological evaluations. Their resilience under such challenging conditions highlights the power of human spirit and optimism.
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