Hamas released Fourteen Israeli hostages and three foreign hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday.
In total, Hamas said that it has released 17 hostages to the Red Cross: 13 Israelis, three Thai nationals, and one Russian national.
The group said it released a hostage with Russian citizenship “in appreciation of the Russian position in support of the Palestinian cause” and efforts from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Abigail Mor Edan, an American girl, was freed by the militant group as well, according to a statement from Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. In an interview with NBC News, Abigail’s great-aunt Liz Hirsh Naftali revealed that the little girl’s parents were killed in their home at the Kfar Aza kibbutz.
Meanwhile, Israel released 39 Palestinians, all minors, from Israeli prisons, the spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry said on X.
President Joe Biden praised the release of Mor Edan, saying the child’s return home is proof the truce is working.
“Nothing is being taken for granted, but the proof that this is working and worth pursuing further is in every smile and every grateful tear we see on the faces of those families who are finally getting back together again,” he said during remarks in Nantucket, Massachusetts. “The proof is little Abigail.”
“More than 20 other children 18 years and younger have been released — they’ve been released through this deal as well,” he added. “They’ve endured a terrible ordeal and they can now begin the long journey toward healing.”
Following his remarks, Biden answered questions from reporters and said that his administration’s “goal is to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow so that we can continue to see more hostages come out and surge more humanitarian relief into those in need in Gaza.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Biden by phone later Sunday and said once the agreement is over Israel “will go back to destroying Hamas with full force”.
“The two leaders agreed that the work is not yet done and that they will continue working to secure the release of all hostages,” a White House readout of the call said. “The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days.”
