Among the 17 hostages released by Hamas on Saturday evening, 13 are Israelis. These are families, isolated children and a 21-year-old festival visitor.
Isolated families and children, all kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri, a 21-year-old festival-goer. Here’s what we know about the 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement, according to reports from their relatives to AFP, information from the Israeli press and the Families Forum. hostages. These releases bring the total number of hostages released to 46, from about 240 seized in Gaza since their abduction during the October 7 attack.
26 of them were released under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which calls for the return of 50 hostages to Israel within four days in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Four Thais who were not affected by this agreement were also released on Saturday. They join the 10 Thais and one Filipino who were released on Friday. Five hostages had already been released in October before the ceasefire.
Hila (13 years old) and her friend Emily (9 years old)
Hila and Emily, two friends aged 13 and 9, were kidnapped along with Hila’s mother, Reaya Rotem, 54, who is still being held in Gaza. They were captured on October 7 while hiding in their Mamad, the safe room of their home, on Kibbutz Beeri.
Hila Rotem-Shoshani will reunite with her family after her release on November 26, 2023. ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES/Portal
Emily was initially declared dead before she was among the hostages. The young Israeli-Irish girl, whose mother died of cancer when she was two and a half years old, celebrated her 9th birthday in captivity on November 17. “She spent her birthday in the Gaza tunnels,” her father Thomas Hand lamented tearfully at a gathering in her honor in London that day.
Young Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand will be reunited with her father Thomas Hand following her release on November 26, 2023. ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES/Portal
“After 50 difficult and complicated days, we can’t find words to describe our emotions,” said Thomas Hand happily on Saturday. “We are happy to find Emily, but at the same time we remember (…) all the hostages who have not yet returned home,” he said in a statement.
“An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned (to his family) and we breathe a deep sigh of relief,” Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said.
Shoshan Haran (67) and his family
Adina Shoham (38) was kidnapped with her daughter Yahel, 3, and son Naveh, 8. They are all three Germans, thanks to Adina’s father Avshalom Haran, who was killed in the attack. Sharon Avigdori (52), Adina’s aunt, was kidnapped with her 12-year-old daughter Noam. They were all at Kibbutz Beeri to visit Shoshan Haran, 67, Adina’s mother, who was also released on Saturday. Her family is one of the most affected as they include a seventh hostage, Tal Shoham (38), Adina’s husband.
Yahel Shoham, 3, and Adi Shoham, 38, were released after being taken hostage during the October 7 attack. Hostages and missing families Fo/Portal Yahel Shoham, 3, left, was released after being taken hostage. Hostages and missing families Fo / Portal
Shiri Weiss (53 years old) and her daughter Noga
Shiri Weiss, a 53-year-old accountant, and her daughter Noga, 18, were kidnapped from their home on Kibbutz Beeri.
According to her relatives, with whom Noga was in contact via WhatsApp messages during the attack, the young woman was hidden under a bed when her mother was kidnapped. Pursued by the smoke entering the house, she tried to hide outside, where she was discovered. The father, Ilan Weiss, had to leave his home at dawn to defend his kibbutz. He was also taken hostage.
Noga Weiss, 18, was released after being taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack. Hostages and missing families Fo / Portal
Alma and Noam, 13 and 16 years old
The two teenagers Alma (13 years old) and Noam (16 years old) were kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri along with their father Dror Or (48 years old) and their cousin Liam (18 years old). Dror’s wife and mother of the children, Yonat, was killed in the attack. The eldest of the siblings, Yahli, who is doing his military service in the north of the country, was not at home.
Maya Regev, 21 years old
Maya Regev, a 21-year-old woman, was kidnapped along with her younger brother Itay, 18, as they tried to escape the Tribe of Nova music festival. Maya was hit by gunfire during a phone call with her father. He had tried in vain to determine their position. A few hours later, the siblings appeared tied up in the back of a pickup truck in a video posted on social media.
As soon as he was released, the young Israeli was taken to the hospital while the other hostages were taken to other medical centers. Maya will undergo a series of surgeries and “expects a full recovery,” according to the Times of Israel.
Originally from Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Maya and Itay had returned to Israel the day before after celebrating their mother’s birthday abroad. Itay, who has not yet been released, is passionate about surfing, while his older sister practices yoga and running.