# Israeli hostage kisses heads of Hamas fighters as he is released

> In a surprising moment at a ceremony in Nuseirat, Gaza, 22-year-old Omer Shem Tov kissed a Hamas fighter’s head while standing with fellow hostages Eliya Cohen and Omer Wenkert. His father expressed relief after 505 day…

Published: 2026-09-15 · Desk: Latest · Source: Middle East Monitor

In an extraordinary turn of events, 22-year-old Omer Shem Tov was captured on camera in Nuseirat, central Gaza, placing a kiss on the head of a Hamas fighter during a baroque-style ceremony. Standing alongside his fellow hostages, 27-year-old Eliya Cohen and 23-year-old Omer Wenkert, his unexpected gesture drew widespread attention.

Following his release, Omer Shem Tov’s father, Malki Shem Tov, expressed his overwhelming relief to Israeli broadcasters, emphasizing that after 505 days filled with anxiety, fear, and an unrelenting sense of longing, their struggle to bring him home had finally come to an end.

Meanwhile, his grandmother, Sara, spoke to Channel 12, sharing her perspective on his demeanor. She described his cheerful and sociable nature, explaining that his warm approach was nothing unusual. "That’s just who Omer is," she said. "He gets along with everyone. Even Hamas... They love him even there."

Original reporting: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250222-on-his-release-israeli-captive-kisses-hamas-fighter/?fbclid=IwY2xjawInkCJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT-taOzVhlt6lffQadeGgwWrxBIBADZrJdlSUiwO9PsNMknGqrN1hpCMPg_aem_TzgX5bRz7LqIKA-ltQzhSA
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