Moment where the 21-year-old hostage kidnapped from a music festival reunites with her family after being released
For free, real-time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our breaking news emails
Sign up for our free breaking news emails
Hamas is searching for more Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip as part of a planned swap for Palestinian prisoners to allow the continuation of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The four-day lull in fighting was extended by two days on Tuesday, with 51 Israelis and 18 foreigners released by Hamas and 150 Palestinians released by Israel since the ceasefire began.
Israel said around 240 hostages were returned to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip following the October 7 attack.
Now more hostages are likely to be released as the ceasefire is extended. A list of hostages to be released was sent to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office today.
However, The Independent understands Hamas does not have direct access to more than 100 hostages, prompting a search by the group.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CBS on Monday evening: “We know that Hamas has more hostages that it is either holding or has access to.” So the pool is obviously much bigger than that, what we have been able to get out of it so far.
“That’s why we want this to be extended for as long as possible.”
Important points
Show latest update 1701145883
Mother and three-year-old twin daughters among 11 released hostages
A mother and her three-year-old twin daughters were among 11 hostages released yesterday on the fourth day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Sharon Aloni-Cunio, 34, and her three-year-old daughters Emma and Yuli have been held captive by Hamas since they were abducted from their home kibbutz Nir Oz.
Her husband David Cunio and his brother Ariel are believed to still be in captivity in Gaza.
The family was abducted during the October 7 attack while seeking refuge in a safe room.
After Hamas burned their home, the family was arrested as they tried to escape the flames.
Sharon’s sister Daniele Aloni and her daughter, who were also captured, were released last Friday.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Emma as “an outgoing and amazing child, full of love. A real kibbutz girl who prefers trucks and mechanical tools to dolls.”
It said her sister Yuli was “shy and had become more open and smiling towards those around her in the weeks before her abduction”.
Another mother and seven other children were among the youngest hostages freed.
(AP)
Shweta Sharma28. November 2023 04:31
1701172800
ICYMI: Abigail, 4-year-old American hostage, reunites with her family
President Joe Biden condemned Hamas’s “unthinkable” actions after a four-year-old American girl whose parents were killed by terrorists last month was released from the Gaza Strip on Sunday as part of a hostage-taking agreement.
This four-day ceasefire is currently in effect in the northern Gaza Strip, where Israeli troops have been bombarding the city for weeks; Hamas militants continue to hold dozens of hostages in Palestinian territory after a shockingly bloody attack last month in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people.
On Sunday, Israel confirmed that four-year-old Abigail Edan was among the hostages released by the militant group into the care of the Red Cross. Her immediate condition was unknown.
“Thank God she’s home,” Mr. Biden said of Abigail on Sunday as he addressed Nantucket Americans. “What she had to endure is unimaginable.”
John Bowden has the story.
Josh Marcus28. November 2023 12:00
1701172673
Family of missing 10-month-old boy calls for his ‘immediate release’
The family of a 10-month-old boy who fears he is missing in Gaza has called on negotiators to release him as quickly as possible.
Offri Bibas, 10-month-old Kfir’s aunt, said she feared he could go without formula or real food.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expires on Wednesday before hostilities resume in Gaza.
“He can’t stay there anymore. He is a 10 month old baby. We don’t know if he’s on formula. There is not much to eat,” Ms. Bibas said.
“Every day there is a risk to their mental and physical condition. They must be released. They are children; They shouldn’t be hostages.”
Kfir was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his four-year-old brother Ariel and his parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, after Hamas massacred up to 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said the Bibas family had been transferred from Hamas to another Palestinian militant group in Gaza and was being held in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Aylon Keshet, Mr Bibas’ cousin, added that the family was living a “nightmare” and knew “nothing” about their condition.
He said: “These are real people with real lives. Please don’t let her stay there another day. Don’t let Hamas continue to use them as a bargaining chip.
“We really don’t know anything. We’re groping in the dark here. We know nothing about her well-being or condition.
“This is a nightmare scenario for us. The uncertainty is really hard. We are very worried about her.”
Ten-month-old Kfir Bibas, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th
(PA)
Four-year-old Ariel Bibas, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th
(PA)
Alexander Butler28. November 2023 11:57
1701169200
Elon Musk visits Israel after the anti-Semitism scandal
Elon Musk toured a kibbutz attacked by Hamas during his visit to Israel on Monday. An outcry followed over his promoting an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory on his social media platform Twitter/X.
The world’s richest man met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which Hamas attacked on October 7, killing an estimated 52 residents. Another 20 people are missing.
It was the home of four-year-old American-Israeli citizen Abigail Edan, who was taken hostage after her parents were killed by the militant group during the attack. Abigail was reunited with members of her family on Sunday as part of the hostage exchange.
Mr Musk said it was “harrowing” to witness the scenes of the massacre during a live Twitter/X event with Mr Neetanyahu after the tour.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Josh Marcus28. November 2023 11:00
1701167702
The Met Police are investigating reports of war crimes in Gaza
The Metropolitan Police are investigating reports of war crimes committed in Gaza.
Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit is working with the International Criminal Court to investigate all war crimes committed by Israel or Hamas in the region since October 7.
The unit has received over 20 referrals since the start of the conflict, including those from people who recently returned from Gaza.
In one case, police contacted a senior surgeon who worked at Al-Shifa and Al-Alhi hospitals for nearly two months to provide statements about possible war crimes.
Alexander Butler28. November 2023 10:35
1701166956
“If they get more wives and children, there will be an extension.”
These are the words of Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in an interview with the Financial Times before Hamas and Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire.
He spoke of Hamas demanding more hostages to complete the exchange of Palestinian prisoners provided for in the ceasefire agreement.
Sheikh Mohammed said more than 40 other women and children were being held captive in Gaza, but not in the hands of Hamas. According to the Independent, the total number of hostages is over 100.
Sheikh Mohammed said before Monday’s ceasefire extension: “If they get more women and children, there will be an extension.”
“We don’t yet have clear information about how many they can find because…” . . one of the purposes [of the pause] they are [Hamas] will have time to search for the remaining missing people.”
Israel has sent Qatar a list of more than 90 women and children seized during the Hamas attack on October 7, the FT said.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Alex Ross28. November 2023 10:22
1701165600
Did the Israel-Hamas war cause a hate crime in Vermont?
Federal law enforcement is investigating whether the shooting of three Palestinian students in Vermont was a hate crime.
According to police, a white gunman shot the three men, all in their 20s, at least four times without saying anything as they walked near the University of Vermont. The students spoke English and Arabic and wore keffiyehs.
Two of the victims remain in stable condition, while one of the men remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Josh Marcus28. November 2023 10:00
1701165527
Hamas is looking for hostages
Here’s more on what U.S. Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CBS on Monday night:
“We are still in active discussions with all parties here about possible contract extensions.
“The president was able to get this extension across the finish line over the weekend, and we’re sticking with it. I can’t tell you at the moment whether there will be an extension and what that might look like in concrete terms. The length of the days and the number of hostages.
“We know that Hamas has more hostages that it is holding or has access to. So the pool is obviously a lot bigger than what we’ve been able to figure out so far. So we want this to be extended for as long as possible.”
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Alex Ross28. November 2023 09:58
1701162000
ICYMI: A temporary ceasefire is extended at the last minute
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the ceasefire for two more days, a breakthrough that could lead to the release of dozens more hostages and more life-saving aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
The decision offers a rare glimmer of hope for a possible end to the conflict, which the United Nations has said has caused “unprecedented and unprecedented” bloodshed.
Bel Trew Reports from Jerusalem.
Josh Marcus28. November 2023 09:00
1701161560
List of Israeli hostages to be released arrived
A list of Israeli hostages to be released today has been received by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Families will be notified, the office said.
So far, Hamas has released 51 Israelis and 18 foreigners since the ceasefire began on Friday.
The lull in fighting has allowed the United Nations to increase urgent aid deliveries to Gaza.
Alex Ross28. November 2023 08:52