Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas releases American girl with 16 others, Biden says

The Washington Post

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President Biden commented on the release of a 4-year-old girl alongside 16 other hostages held by Hamas. “I wish I were there to hold her,” he said. (Video: The Washington Post)

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Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old with American and Israeli citizenship who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, was back in Israel on Sunday, President Biden said in a news conference. The Red Cross was transporting a group of Hamas’s captives, the third of four groups planned to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in as many days, to Israeli authorities. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said the Red Cross, acting as an intermediary, was carrying 14 Israelis and three others.

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Hamas released 26 Israeli hostages in the first two days of the pause, in exchange for 78 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Hamas has separately released 14 Thai nationals and one Filipino.

Sunday’s trade was going more smoothly than Saturday’s, when the release of hostages was delayed by seven hours after allegations from Hamas that, among other things, Israel was not allowing humanitarian aid to reach parts of northern Gaza. Israeli military leaders said that after the pause, they will resume efforts to eliminate Hamas and free remaining hostages.

The pause will be extended by a day for every 10 additional hostages released by Hamas beyond the 50 agreed upon in the deal, Israel has said. Under the agreement, Israel is expected to release three Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli hostage taken on Oct. 7.

More than 13,300 people have been killed in Gaza and 35,180 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

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Here’s what to know

Hamas released 26 Israeli hostages in the first two days of the pause, in exchange for 78 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel. Hamas has separately released 14 Thai nationals and one Filipino.

More than 13,300 people have been killed in Gaza and 35,180 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

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