Washington – Abigail Mor Edan, the latest American held hostage by Hamas, was among the hostages released by Hamas on Sunday, President Biden confirmed Sunday.
“She is free and now in Israel,” President Biden said Sunday, adding that she had “gone through a terrible trauma.”
Mr Biden said Abigail’s mother was killed in front of her. The young girl ran to her father, who was shot while using his body to protect her, and then ran to neighbors for help, Mr. Biden said.
“What she endured is unimaginable,” he said.
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Seventeen hostages were released – 14 Israeli citizens, including Abigail, an Israeli-American citizen, and three foreign nationals, Israeli officials said.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that 39 Palestinians will also be released as part of this hostage exchange.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed earlier Sunday that Edan was on a list of hostages the terror group planned to release later in the day.
“So far, things are moving in the right direction,” the Qatari official said in an interview with “Face the Nation” when asked if Edan would be released on Sunday.
Edan’s parents were killed in the October 7 attack on Israel. She turned four last week while being held captive in Gaza.
Earlier on Sunday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told “Face the Nation” he was cautiously optimistic that an American would be among the hostages released by Hamas on Sunday.
Sullivan said the U.S. has “reason to believe that Americans will be released today – at least one American will be released today.”
“I cannot confirm who it will be or that it will really happen, because until we see this American leave Gaza safely and ultimately in the hands of his loved ones, we will not have complete confirmation,” he said. “We have reason to believe that there will be an American release today, but let’s wait and see what actually happens. Because of course we are dealing with a terrorist group that we cannot immediately trust. We need to check this.”
Sullivan said the White House remains in close contact with authorities in Qatar and Egypt, who helped broker the deal to release the hostages, as well as with Israeli officials.
Hamas could release American hostage today, says Jake Sullivan
Since Friday, Hamas has released two groups of hostages held captive in Gaza since the terrorist attack. Under the U.S.-Qatari deal, Israel and Hamas agreed to a short-term ceasefire and Israel also released dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
According to officials, Hamas released 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals on Saturday, and 13 Israeli hostages, 10 Thai hostages and one Filipino hostage were released on Friday.
Sullivan said it would depend on Hamas whether to extend the temporary ceasefire to allow for the release of all hostages.
“I have every confidence that ultimately all Americans and all those held hostage will come home,” he said. “We are determined not to rest until that happens. But whether this particular deal is extended or not is really up to Hamas.”
Al Thani said there was a possibility of an extension if Hamas was able to collect more hostages.
“We are hopeful,” he said. “The agreement contains a provision: if Hamas will be able to prove, locate and secure some of the hostages who fall under the criteria of the first group, i.e. women and children, then it will be extended, subject to “We cannot confirm this until the fourth day, when Hamas should submit the list when it is available to them.”
Margaret Brennan and Richard Escobedo contributed reporting.
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