Video / NZ Herald Family and friends of released Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov clapped, burst into tears and popped bottles of champagne as they watched him walk free after being handed over by Hamas in Gaza.

TEL AVIV — Hamas released six Israeli hostages early Saturday in three different locations throughout Gaza, in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed from Israeli jails. This is the largest number of Palestinian prisoners to be released at once since the beginning of the ceasefire which began in January.

After the release of three more hostages from the Gaza Strip, the men were handed over by the Red Cross to the Israeli military on Saturday. They are now being returned to Israel, where they will undergo medical examinations,