Israel-Gaza War: Hamas frees 17 hostages, including 4-year-old American; Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners
Hamas released 17 hostages in Gaza, including a 4-year-old American girl, as part of a truce with Israel as Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners on the third day of the ceasefire. As reported by Reuters, the International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the successful transfer of the hostages, consisting of 13 Israelis, three Thais, and one individual with Russian citizenship, according to Hamas. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the release of the hostages - part of a larger group captured when Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct.
7 - was mirrored by the freeing of 39 Palestinians, all of whom are teenagers. Hamas further said a willingness to prolong the truce on the condition that substantial efforts were undertaken to augment the number of Palestinian detainees released by Israel. Also Read: Hamas seeks to extend truce with Israel with some conditions US President Joe Biden expressed his desire for the ceasefire to continue as long as hostages are being released.
He also expressed hope that more Americans would be freed by Hamas, although he acknowledged not having definitive information at that time, Reuters reported. Biden said the 4-year-old hostage, Abigail Edan, had witnessed her parents being killed by Hamas fighters during their Oct. 7 raid into Israel and had been held since then.
"What she endured is unthinkable," Biden said at a news conference in the US. Abigail was on her way to the hospital for checks, Israel's Channel 13 said. Her grandfather, Carmel Edan, told Reuters he "simply could not believe" she had been returned, thanking Biden “for all the help he's offered us." Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Egypt receives lists of 13 Israelis, 39 Palestinians to be
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