Hamas completes captive releases with handover of Hisham Al-Sayed in Gaza City - War on Gaza
Hamas handed over Israeli captive Hisham Al-Sayed to the Red Cross (ICRC) at a location designated by its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, east of Gaza City, Al Jazeera reported.
The group had earlier completed the handover of three captives in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza and two captives in Rafah.
The Israeli army later confirmed that the ICRC had received Al-Sayed and said he was on his way to a meeting point with Israeli forces. Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the army had taken custody of Al-Sayed from the Red Cross.
The release of Al-Sayed, 36, along with the five other captives earlier in the day, marks the final group of living captives to be freed during the first phase of the ceasefire, which is set to expire on 1 March.
Al-Sayed was released without a handover ceremony in Gaza City. The Al-Qassam Brigades told Al Jazeera they had decided to do so out of respect for Palestinian citizens of Israel (PCI), also known as 1948 Palestinians. The group added that Israel had 'abandoned' Al-Sayed for 10 years because of his status as a PCI.
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