Hisham al-Sayed was born in 1988 in al-Sayyid to Manal al-Sayed and Sha’ban al-Sayed.[3] He was diagnosed with a mental health condition,[6] loss of hearing, tinnitus, and vertigo.[3] In 2005 he was sent to study in Cyprus, and in 2010 studied in London.[3] In 2010 he was diagnosed with "acute psychotic disorder" and in 2013 with schizophrenia.[3]
Al-Sayed suffered from auditory hallucinations, and took orders from a voice in his head. He entered the West Bank on at least 15occasions, and was detained by Palestinian Preventive Security at least three of those times.[3]
On 18 August 2008, he volunteered for military service, but was discharged less than three months later on November6, after being identified as "incompatible for service."[3]
Capture
On 20 April 2015, al-Sayed wandered into the Gaza Strip and was abducted by Hamas.[7]
On 28 June 2022, Hamas released a video showing a sickly Al-Sayed in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask and an IV drip.[8][9] Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned Hamas: "Spreading the clip of a sick man is despicable and an act of desperation."[10]
Release
In January 2025 after the leaking of a document showing information about the 2025 Israel–Hamas war ceasefire and hostage release it was reported that Al-Sayed was set to be released by Hamas as part the exchange.[11][7][12] His family issued a statement shortly after the announcement expressing their happiness at his return and hope for all hostages to be released.[13]
Al-Sayed was released on 22 February 2025, along with five other hostages held by Hamas. Unlike the other five hostages, al-Sayed was released without a public ceremony.[14][15] The IDF confirmed receiving him few hours later.[4]
See also
Avera Mengistu, another Israeli civilian held by Hamas in Gaza since 2014 and released on 22 February 2025
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