Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he was “delighted” as Emily Hand, a nine-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen held hostage by Hamas, returned on Saturday.
“After weeks of trauma, this is a precious and deeply moving moment for the Hand family,” Martin said.
Hand’s father, Thomas, initially said it was a “blessing” that his daughter may have died in captivity but walked back those remarks after realizing she may be alive.
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Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for the release of 50 hostages held captive by the terrorist organization in exchange for a 4-day pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The cessation in fighting could be extended an extra day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas.
Three Americans could be released in the deal.
The Red Cross will visit hostages who have not yet been released.
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Hamas said that Israel would release 150 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.
Hamas took 240 people hostage and killed over 1,200 in their October 7 terrorist attacks.
Who are the Israeli hostages Hamas released on Friday?
- Danielle Alony, 44 and her daughter, Amelia, 5
- Yafa Adar, 85
- Ohad Munder, 9
- Keren Munder, 54
- Ruth Munder, 78
- Margalit Mozes, 77
- Adina Moshe, 72
- Aviv Asher, 2
- Raz Asher, 4
- Doron Katz Asher, 34
- Hannah Katzir, 76
- Hanna Perry, 79
- Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, Filipino citizen
Hostages will be released over a four-day period that began Friday.
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The family of released Israelis are celebrating their return home, but are still praying those still in captivity will also be freed.
Adi Shoham was released Saturday, alongside her children and mother, but her husband still remains in Hamas hands.
Her cousin Inbal Tzach said “the struggle has not ended” and that they are still waiting for her husband Tal to be freed, according to the Times of Israel.
Adi Shoham was released Saturday, alongside her children and mother, but her husband still remains in Hamas hands. Cousin Inbal Tzach said “the struggle has not ended” as they are still waiting for Tal to be freed, despite being happen to be reunited with the four.
“This is the saddest joy and the happiest sadness, but our family is home. Keep fighting with us.”
Sharon and Noam Avigdori, who are related to Shoham, were also released.
Sharon’s sister-in-law, Zohar Avigdori, said her legs were “shaking” while their family waited for their return.
“We don’t forget for a moment that these are the same legs that will continue the journey to sustain us in the long journey that is still ahead of us — until the safe return of all the hostages,” she told the Times of Israel.
Mirit Regev – the mother of Maya Regev, a 21-year-old who was released into medical treatment tonight – was “excited and happy” her young daughter was being returned home, but said her heart was “split in two” as her son Itai is still in captivity.
“I am going to hug Maya so, so hard, but we will not stop until Itai and all the hostages come home,” she told the outlet.
Israel freed nearly 39 prisoners Saturday evening in exchange for the 13 Israelis Hamas released.
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All the prisoners were female, and some included minors.
The prisoners were all from the West Bank or East Jerusalem.
Their charges range from attempted murder to security crimes, according to the Times of Israel.
None of the prisoners released were convicted of murder.
Twelve-year-old Hila Rotem was freed but her mother Raya Rotem, 54, remains captive.
The release of children with their parents was a major sticking point in negotiations.
The 17 hostages released by Hamas on Saturday have now returned to Israel, the IDF confirms.
As the hostages were being transported out of Gaza via Egypt, they rested in a halfway processing facility between the Rafah Border Crossing and the Keren Shalom crossing.
Here are photos of the hostages on their journey back home
One of the released hostages appeared to be making a phone call.
WELCOME HOME! 🇮🇱❤️
How can you hold back those tears when you see this beautiful sight?!
As the second wave of hostages entered Israel, we cheered them on and welcomed them home with a loving embrace.
The hostages released today are:
Or family:
– Noam Or (16 years old)
-… pic.twitter.com/2oQnWMwRvt— Rabbi Shmuel Reichman (@ShmuelReichman) November 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/IncMonocle/status/1728547133496729648
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