2023-11-26 07:43:39
Among the 17 hostages released Saturday evening by Hamas, 13 are Israeli. These are families, isolated children, and a 21-year-old festival-goer.
Among them, 26 were released as part of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, which provides for the return to Israel of 50 hostages over four days, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Four Thais, not affected by this agreement, were also released on Saturday. They are in addition to ten Thais and one Filipino released on Friday. Five hostages had already been released in October before the truce.
Hila (13 years old) and her friend Emily (9 years old)
Hila and Emily, two friends aged 13 and 9, were kidnapped together, along with Hila’s mother, Reaya Rotem (54) who is still being held in Gaza. They were captured on October 7, while hiding in their mamad, the secure room of their home, on Kibbutz Beeri.
Hila Rotem-Shoshani reunites with her family following being released, November 26, 2023. ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES / REUTERS
Emily was initially announced dead, before being classified among the hostages. The young Israeli-Irish girl, whose mother died of cancer when she was two and a half years old, celebrated her 9th birthday in captivity on November 17. “She spent her birthday in the Gaza tunnels”his father Thomas Hand lamented that day, in tears, during a gathering in his honor in London.
The young Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand is reunited with her father Thomas Hand following being released, November 26, 2023. ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES / REUTERS
“We cannot find the words to describe our emotions following 50 difficult and complicated days”rejoiced Thomas Hand on Saturday. “We are delighted to have Emily back, but at the same time, we remember (…) all the hostages who have not yet returned home”he said in a press release.
“An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned (to her family), and we breathe a huge sigh of relief”also welcomed the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.
Shoshan Haran (67) and his family
Adina Shoham (38) was kidnapped with her daughter Yahel, 3, and her son Naveh, 8. They are all three Germans through Adina’s father, Avshalom Haran, who was killed in the attack. Sharon Avigdori (52), Adina’s aunt, was kidnapped with her 12-year-old daughter Noam. They were all at Kibbutz Beeri to visit Shoshan Haran (67), Adina’s mother, who was also released on Saturday. Their family is one of the most affected, since it includes a seventh hostage, Tal Shoham (38), Adina’s husband.
Yahel Shoham, 3, and Adi Shoham, 38, who were released following being taken hostage during the October 7 attack. Hostages and Missing Families Fo / REUTERS Yahel Shoham, 3, left, was released following being taken hostage. Hostages and Missing Families Fo / REUTERS
Shiri Weiss (53 years old) and her daughter Noga
Shiri Weiss, a 53-year-old accountant, and her daughter Noga (18) were kidnapped from their home on Kibbutz Beeri.
According to the accounts of their relatives, with whom Noga was in contact by WhatsApp messaging during the assault, the young woman was hidden under a bed when her mother was kidnapped. Chased by the smoke that invaded the house, she tried to hide outside, where she was spotted. The father, Ilan Weiss, had to leave his home at dawn to defend his kibbutz. He was also taken hostage.
Noga Weiss, 18, was released following being taken hostage during the October 7 attack. Hostages and Missing Families Fo / REUTERS
Alma and Noam, 13 and 16 years old
The two teenagers Alma (13 years old) and Noam (16 years old) were kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri along with their father Dror Or (48 years old) and their cousin Liam (18 years old). Dror’s wife and mother of the children, Yonat, was killed in the attack. The eldest of the siblings, Yahli, who is doing his military service in the north of the country, was not at home.
Maya Regev, 21 ans
Maya Regev, a 21-year-old woman, was kidnapped with her younger brother Itay (18) while they were trying to flee the Tribe of Nova music festival. Maya had been hit by gunfire while on the phone with their father. He had tried in vain to locate their position. A few hours later, the siblings appeared tied up in the back of a pick-up in a video posted on social networks.
Barely released, the young Israeli was transported to hospital, while the other hostages were taken to other medical centers. Maya will undergo a series of surgeries and “expected to make a full recovery», indicates the Times of Israel .
Originally from Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Maya and Itay had returned to Israel the day before following celebrating their mother’s birthday abroad. Itay, who has not yet been released, is passionate regarding surfing, while his older sister practices yoga and running.
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