Hamas to release six hostages including three from Israeli music festival

Six hostages are set to be released by Hamas in Gaza on Saturday. Among them are three individuals abducted from the Nova music festival in October 2023: Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, and Eliya Cohen. Also being released is Tal Shoham, who was taken during the same attack. Two long-term hostages, Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu, will also be handed over. Al-Sayed crossed into Gaza in 2015 and has faced mental health challenges. Mengistu has been held since 2014 and is also reported to have mental health issues. Four bodies of individuals taken from Israel will be returned as well.