In a heart-wrenching tale, an American girl who recently celebrated her fourth birthday was freed by Hamas after being held hostage. Abigail Mor Edan was among the 17 hostages released as part of a cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas. Tragically, Abigail’s parents were killed in their home during a brutal attack, leaving her to face the harrowing experience of captivity at such a tender age. The little girl’s great-aunt shared in an interview that Abigail was in her father’s arms when he was shot, falling on top of her. Miraculously, she managed to crawl out from under her father’s body, covered in his blood. This article explores the details of Abigail’s horrifying ordeal and the efforts to secure the release of additional hostages.
American girl freed by Hamas
An American girl, Abigail Mor Edan, who had been held hostage by Hamas, was finally released on Sunday as part of a cease-fire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and the militant group. Abigail was among the 17 hostages who were freed on the third day of the truce. The release of the hostages comes after Israel released Palestinian prisoners and allowed aid into the Gaza Strip. The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum confirmed the release of the hostages in a statement.
Abigail’s great-aunt, Liz Hirsh Naftali, revealed in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt in Washington earlier this month that Abigail’s parents were killed in their home at the Kfar Aza kibbutz. According to Hirsh Naftali, Abigail, who had just turned 4, was in her father’s arms when a Hamas gunman shot him, causing him to fall on top of her. Abigail managed to crawl out from under her father’s body, covered in his blood. After escaping to a neighbor’s house, Abigail joined them in their bomb shelter. The last update Hirsh Naftali received was that a terrorist had taken Abigail and her three siblings out of the kibbutz.
International response
The White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, expressed his relief and hope for additional releases during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday. Sullivan stated that it was “long past time” for Abigail to be freed and that the White House was working towards the possibility of extending the deal to secure the release of more hostages. The United States, along with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, played a crucial role in brokering the temporary cease-fire agreement.
Delays and alleged violations
Saturday’s release of the hostages faced hours-long delays, as Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. Hamas claimed that Israel had not delivered the promised aid to northern Gaza and had not released Palestinian hostages in the agreed-upon order. Despite the allegations, the exchange eventually took place, with 39 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel also being released. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the return of 33 Palestinians to the West Bank.
Release of hostages and prisoners
During the hostage exchange, a total of 17 hostages were released, including 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals. In return, 39 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel were freed. This exchange followed a previous release where 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and one Filipino citizen, were freed from Gaza in exchange for 39 Palestinians held in Israel.
Terms of the cease-fire agreement
The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas includes the condition that Hamas release a minimum of 50 hostages in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinians held in Israeli jails by the end of the agreement. As a further incentive, Israel has agreed to extend the cease-fire for an additional day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas.
Delivery of aid to Gaza
Under the terms of the agreement, hundreds of aid trucks have entered Gaza, bringing much-needed water, food, medical supplies, and fuel. This provision aims to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region caused by the conflict. However, it is important to note that the temporary cease-fire is set to end on Monday, which highlights the urgency of delivering aid and finding a long-term solution to the ongoing conflict.
Key players in the agreement
The United States, along with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, played vital roles in brokering the cease-fire agreement and the subsequent hostage exchange. The White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, has been actively involved in the negotiations and has provided updates on the progress and potential for further releases. The Red Cross has also played a crucial role in facilitating the return of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank.
Reactions from family and community
Abigail’s great-aunt, Liz Hirsh Naftali, shared heartbreaking details of the attack during an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt. Abigail’s two older brothers witnessed the murder of their parents and are now dealing with the loss of their loved ones. The community surrounding Abigail and her family has shown tremendous support in the aftermath of the tragedy, providing love and comfort to the children.
Future prospects and ongoing efforts
The United States is actively working towards extending the cease-fire agreement and securing the release of additional hostages. The hope is that the temporary truce will provide an opportunity for peace negotiations and pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance to promote peace and stability in the region.