(NewsNation) — A third group of 17 hostages has arrived in Israel, including 14 Israeli hostages, including dual nationals, and three foreign nationals. The group includes Abigail Edan, an American-Israeli citizen.
President Joe Biden confirmed four-year-old Edan is one of the hostages released by Hamas. Edan turned four on Friday while she was in captivity. Both of Edan’s parents were killed but her two older siblings survived.
Liz Hirsh Naftali and Noa Naftali, the great aunt and cousin of Edan issued the following statement shortly after her release:
“We hoped and prayed today would come. There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Abigail is safe and coming home. Thank you to President Biden and his dedicated team; thank you to the Qatari government and other informal actors who are involved in securing Abigail’s release and reuniting other hostages with their loved ones. Today’s release proves that it’s possible. We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing. We will continue to stand with the families of all the hostages still held captive, and we remain committed as ever to securing their safe and swift return.”
Of the foreigners released on Sunday, three are Thais and one is Russian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We brought back another group of hostages this evening – women and children, and we are moved from the depths of our hearts, the entire nation, when we see this reuniting of families. It simply stirs the soul.”
Netanyahu met security forces inside the Gaza Strip. He also said he spoke to Biden about the hostage release, adding that he would welcome extending a temporary truce if it meant that on every additional day 10 captives would be freed.
Biden celebrated the return of Edan and reiterated a commitment to work toward the release of all Americans held by Hamas. Biden also touted America’s role in helping to negotiate the temporary pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Biden would not give any details or timeline on when he expected other American hostages to be released. He said the goal of the U.S. is to build on the pause in fighting.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said 10 American hostages remain in Gaza as of Sunday, and that three of them qualify for release under the latest deal because they are women and children as anticipation builds for more hostages to be freed this weekend.
Unlike previous exchanges, the hostages were taken directly into Israel rather than being transferred through Egypt as previous groups had been moved. Biden said that was due to an elderly woman who was seriously ill and required medical attention.
Israel is set to release 39 more prisoners, drawn from a list of Palestinian women and children held in the country, in response to the release of the hostages. Israel’s prison service said it had begun the process of releasing the additional prisoners and a convoy of vehicles was seen leaving Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank.
That brings the total of hostages released by Hamas to 58, including 40 Israeli citizens and 18 foreign nationals. Israel has released 78 Palestinian women and children who were being held in prison or administrative detention in Israel.
A fourth exchange is expected on Monday — the last day of the cease-fire during which a total of 50 Israeli citizens and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. All are women and minors.
One released hostage, nine-year-old Emily Hand, an Israeli-Irish citizen was previously believed to have been killed in the Oct. 7 attack.
Hostages Released Sunday, Nov. 26
| American-Israeli Hostages | Israeli Hostages | Thai Hostages |
| 1. Abigail Edan, 4 | 1. Alma Avraham, 84 2. Aviva Adrienne Siegel, 62 3. Ron Krivoi, 25 4. Hagar Brodetz, 40 5. Ofri Brodetz, 10 6. Yuval Brodetz, 8 7. Oriya Brodetz, 4 8. Chen Goldstein-Almog, 48 9. Agam Goldstein-Almog, 17 10. Gal Goldstein-Almog, 11 11. Tal Goldstein-Almog, 8 12. Dafna Elyakim, 15 13. Ela Elyakim, 8 | 1. Wichian Temthong 2. Surin Rae Sung Noen 3. Phonsawan Pinakalo |
The third group of hostages released by Hamas on Sunday comes after delays on Saturday’s hostages-for-prisoners swap threatened the fragile cease-fire in Gaza.
The Saturday exchange was delayed after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement, which has brought the first significant pause in seven weeks of war marked by the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in decades, vast destruction and displacement across the Gaza Strip, and a hostage crisis that has shaken Israel.
Qatar later announced the “obstacles were overcome” through mediation and the hostage release would resume.
The hostages who have been released are reported to have been in good condition when evaluated by medical staff, with the major physical concern being malnutrition as well as the psychological impact of being held in captivity.
NewsNation’s Damita Menezes and Tanya Noury, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.