Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 22, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu back in Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Released hostages Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu have crossed the border into Israel, the IDF says.
Shoham was held for 505 days in Hamas captivity, while Mengistu was held for 3,821.
The two were escorted out of the Gaza Strip by Israeli special forces after being handed over to them by the Red Cross.
The IDF is bringing them to a facility near the border for an initial physical and mental checkup, and to meet with family members.
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