Hamas Releases 14 Hostages, Including 84-Year-Old Artist and 4-Year-Old Girl
On Sunday, Gaza rulers Hamas released nine children, four women, and a Russian-Israeli, according to their relatives, Israeli media, and the Hostage Families Forum. This brings the total number of freed hostages to 63 out of the approximately 240 taken to Gaza after the unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
The releases were a result of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, which is set to last for four days and includes the freedom of 50 Israelis and 150 Palestinians. On Friday and Saturday, a total of 26 Israeli hostages were released, while Israel freed 78 Palestinian prisoners.
The Russian-Israeli released on Sunday was not part of the truce deal, as Hamas stated that they freed him “in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin.” In addition to the Israeli hostages, three Thai nationals were also freed by Hamas on Sunday, while 14 Thais and one Filipino had already been released outside of the deal.
Among the Israeli hostages released on Sunday are an 84-year-old artist, who was taken from her home in Nahal Oz kibbutz, and a 62-year-old woman who was abducted along with her American husband. Another woman, 40, and her three children were kidnapped from the Kfar Aza kibbutz. Additionally, a 4-year-old girl named Abigail, who had sought refuge with a neighboring family after her parents were killed, was also released.
The Russian-Israeli hostage, a 25-year-old sound technician, was released by Hamas as a gesture of appreciation for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s support of the Palestinian cause, according to Hamas.
The release of these hostages is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The truce agreement and the subsequent releases offer hope for a peaceful resolution and the safe return of all remaining hostages.
