Israeli captive kisses head of Hamas fighter during prisoner swap
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During a prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation in Gaza’s Nuseirat area, Israeli captive Omer Shem-Tov kissed the heads of two Hamas fighters.
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Israeli hostage Omer Shem-Tov kissing the head of an al-Qassam fighter in the Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025 (Social media)
In a striking scene highlighting the Palestinian resistance’s treatment of Israeli captives, an Israeli detainee kissed the heads of two Hamas fighters during a prisoner exchange in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza.
The footage of the Israeli captive's gesture spread widely across media outlets and social media, as it was seen as a reflection of the humane treatment provided by Hamas' military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, to those in their custody.
The Israeli Channel 12 reported that "the scenes of Israeli hostage Omer Shem-Tov kissing the heads of al-Qassam fighters ignited discussions across Arab social media and media outlets while being largely ignored in Israeli media."
Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Maariv described Shem-Tov’s kiss as a "stunning and clever move" that left Hamas surprised.
In contrast, the Israeli Prison Service published an image showing that the freed Israeli captives were forced to wear shirts bearing the phrase: "I will pursue my enemies and overtake them; I will not turn back until they are destroyed." This move was widely seen as a threat to hunt down and kill former detainees.
In a similar past incident, the Palestinian resistance condemned such measures by the Israeli prison authorities, calling them "a violation of international and humanitarian laws." At that time, Palestinian groups also criticized Israel for forcing freed prisoners to wear shirts with the slogan "We do not forget, we do not forgive."
Hamas prisoner swap
Earlier today, the Palestinian resistance in Gaza handed over six Israeli captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of the seventh batch of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
The handover saw the Resistance releasing Shem Tov, Cohen, and Wenkert. Later, the Israeli military said the ICRC received captive Hisham al-Sayed in Gaza City.
In exchange for the release of the Israeli captives, the Israeli authorities will release 50 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 60 prisoners serving long-term sentences, and 47 prisoners who were freed as part of the "Wafa al-Ahrar" exchange deal but were re-arrested by the Israeli occupation forces.
Additionally, 445 detainees from the Gaza Strip, who were abducted after October 7, 2023, will also be released today, according to the Prisoners' Information Office.
Our correspondent said that in Ofer prison, Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are to be released are being gathered, most of whom will be transferred to the Gaza Strip.
She added that Israeli military reinforcements have been deployed inside and outside the prison.
Last night, the occupation forces raided the homes of a number of detainees in the West Bank who are to be released today, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.
