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NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — President Joe Biden confirmed Sunday that Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old American lady held hostage by Hamas after her mother and father had been killed, was launched as a part of the cease-fire deal within the Israel-Hamas battle and was “safely in Israel.”
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“Thank God she’s house.” Biden stated informed reporters. “I want I had been there to carry her.”
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She was the primary American hostage to be launched underneath phrases of the cease-fire. Biden stated he didn’t have fast data on Abigail’s situation.
Hamas militants stormed her kibbutz, Kfar Azza, on Oct. 7 and killed her mother and father. She ran to a neighbor’s house for shelter, and the Brodutch household — mom Hagar and her three kids — took Abigail in because the rampage raged. Then all 5 disappeared and had been later confirmed to be captives. They had been among the many greater than 200 individuals taken to Gaza within the assault that touched off the battle. Abigail had a birthday in captivity.
Earlier than the cease-fire, the primary hostages had been launched on Oct. 17 — Judith and Natalie Raanan, an American girl and her teenage daughter. Their launch was considered a profitable test-case for negotiating the bigger deal, in accordance with U.S. officers.
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Together with Abigail, the Brodutch household was within the group, ranging in age from 4 to 84, launched Sunday. Crimson Cross representatives transferred the hostages out of Gaza. Some had been handed over on to Israel, whereas others left via Egypt. Israel’s military stated one was airlifted on to a hospital.
“They’ve endured a horrible ordeal,” Biden stated, and may now start the “lengthy journey towards therapeutic.”
Biden described the negotiations as a day-by-day, hour-by-hour course of and stated he would proceed working till all hostages had been free.
“Nothing is assured and nothing is being taken as a right. However the proof that that is working and value pursuing additional is in each smile and each grateful tear we see on the faces of these households who’re lastly getting again collectively once more. The proof is little Abigail,” the president stated.
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Biden stated in remarks from Nantucket, the Massachusetts islands the place he spent Thanksgiving along with his household, that the cease-fire settlement was “delivering lifesaving outcomes.”
Israel was to free 39 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday as a part of the deal. A fourth alternate was anticipated on Monday — the final day of the cease-fire throughout which a complete of fifty hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners had been to be freed. All are ladies and minors.
Biden’s nationwide safety adviser, Jake Sullivan, stated earlier than Abigail’s launch that 9 U.S. residents and one lawful everlasting resident had been being held hostage. “Three of them are ladies and youngsters. Seven of them are males,” he informed ABC’s “This Week.” It’s not clear whether or not they’re all alive.
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Biden stated he was “hopeful” the others could be launched. “We won’t cease working till each hostage is returned to their family members,” he stated.
Worldwide mediators led by representatives from the USA and Qatar are attempting to increase the cease-fire. Biden, who has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu many occasions because the preventing started, deliberate to take action once more later Sunday.
“Critically wanted assist goes in and hostages are popping out,” Biden stated. “And this deal is structured in order that it may be prolonged to maintain constructing on these outcomes. That’s my objective, that’s our objective to maintain this pause going past tomorrow in order that we will proceed to see extra hostages come out and surge extra humanitarian aid into those that are in want in Gaza.”
The battle has claimed the lives of greater than 1,200 Israelis, largely civilians killed by Hamas within the preliminary assault. Greater than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, roughly two thirds of them ladies and minors, in accordance with the Well being Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
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Lengthy reported from Washington. Related Press author Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed to this report.
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