The families of some of the kidnapped children released by Hamas after more than 50 days have spoken of their overwhelming “relief” — amid hopes the four-day ceasefire could be extended.
As talks to extend the truce deal were under way, more of the Gaza hostages were due to be released later on Monday.
The family of Israeli-American Avigail Idan, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 assault on southern Israel, described their joy at her safe release. Avigail was three when she was snatched, and turned four in captivity.
Her parents were murdered by terrorists during the attack. She was among the 14 Israeli and three foreign nationals released from Gaza on Sunday. In return, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
“We hoped and prayed today would come,” her family said. Her great aunt Liz Hirsh Naftali and cousin Noa Naftali added in a statement: “There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Avigail is safe and coming home.”
They also thanked US president Joe Biden, the Qatari government and others who were involved in securing her freedom. The remaining hostages should also to be released, they said.
“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,” they said. Avigail’s aunt Ella Mor added: “She just landed in the hospital and she’s being checked and taken care of. I want to thank everybody for all of your love and support. It’s amazing, and thank you so much.
“I just want to say she has family, and we’re taking care of her, so don’t worry about it, and it’s very important to let her be now.” New footage also showed the return of one of the youngest hostages to be freed so far.
Yahel Shoham, three, was seen holding a teddy after being released alongside her eight-year-old brother Naveh eight, mother Adi Shoham, 38, and grandmother Shoshan Haran, 67. However, her father Tal is still being held in Gaza.
Sharon Hertzman Avigdori, 52, who was released with her 12-year-old daughter Noam, was seen embracing her son Omer at the Sheba Medical Centre. More than 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s surprise October 7 attack, while some 240 were taken hostage.
At least 58 of the captives have been released, with around 180 still being held. However, Hamas does not have custody of all the hostages, a former US official has said.
Some were believed to be being held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another group based in Gaza, the official said, while others were held by “random Gaza citizen opportunists”.
Most of those released so far have been physically well. But Elma Avraham, 84, who was among those freed over the weekend was airlifted to Israel’s Soroka Medical Centre in life-threatening condition because of inadequate care, the hospital said.
A fourth exchange of hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel was expected on Monday — the last day of the ceasefire. Israel was reviewing a list of names, the office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement this morning.
A spokeswoman for Israel’s UK embassy said she believed Israel was negotiating a ceasefire extension with Hamas. Orly Goldschmidt reiterated that Israel was open to an extension on the ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for another 10 hostages. Mr Biden had reportedly been in talks with MrNetanyahu overnight about postponing the fighting.
Ms Goldschmidt told Sky News she hoped 11 more Israel hostages would be released on Monday. Mr Netanyahu said that once the truce ends “we will return with full force to achieve our goals”, which was the “elimination of Hamas.”
