Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Israel-Hamas War

More Hostages Released By Hamas Amid Truce Agreement

Hamas said that it has released 17 hostages to the Red Cross.

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.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“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.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Stephen Anderson
Written By

Stephen Anderson is FWRD AXIS' Co-founder and Chief Political Reporter based in the United States.

You May Also Like

Israel-Hamas War

Trump's surprising remarks came just hours after he said Palestinians had 'no alternative' but to leave their homes in Gaza.

Economy

Trump also placed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, which went into effect on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Donald Trump

Trump's move to impose tariffs on three of America's largest trading partners could lead to increased prices.

White House

Speaking from the State Department, Biden praised his administration's foreign policy achievements.

Advertisement