The process of releasing Israeli hostages took an unexpected turn on Saturday, February 22. Omer Shem, who had been captured during the attack on October 7, 2023, surprised onlookers by kissing the foreheads of two Hamas members escorting him onto a stage in Nuseirat, in central Gaza.
Initially, the release followed the usual procedure before an unusual gesture disrupted its apparent routine. Escorted by several armed Hamas militants, Omer Shem stepped onto a platform alongside two other hostages, Eliya Cohen and Omer Wenkert. Each received a document and a bag before being prompted to acknowledge the gathered crowd.
Footage released by Reuters then captured a startling moment: Omer Shem leaned toward one of the masked men, placed his hand behind his head, and kissed his forehead. He then smiled and gave a thumbs-up before repeating the gesture with another Hamas member whose face was concealed by a green scarf.
A Scene That Raises Questions
This scene, recorded during the release in Nuseirat, has raised speculation about whether it was a spontaneous act or a staged event. Some observers suggest that the incident may have been orchestrated by the Islamist organization.
Additional footage from the Associated Press shows a cameraman speaking to Omer Shem shortly before the gesture, causing the hostage to display a look of confusion. In the video, he then turns his head towards the masked men standing beside him, while the cameraman approaches them and whispers something.
Israel, the UN, and the Red Cross have previously condemned such staged events during hostage releases in Gaza. Ultimately, after more than 500 days in captivity, Omer Shem, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were handed over to the Red Cross and returned to Israel, along with three other hostages released on the same day.