Israel-Gaza updates: More hostages released, including 4-year-old American girl

Fourteen Israeli and three foreign hostages were released Sunday, the IDF said.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: November 26, 2023, 4:32 PM EST

Thousands of people have died and thousands more have been injured since the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign and total siege of the neighboring Gaza Strip, leaving the region on the verge of all-out war.

Click here for updates from previous days.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 1, 6:03 am

What we know about the conflict

The latest outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, has passed the four-month mark.

In the Gaza Strip, at least 30,228 people have been killed and 71,377 others have been wounded by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.

In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed and 6,900 others have been injured by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

There has also been a surge in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli forces have killed at least 395 people in the territory since Oct. 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The ongoing war began after Hamas-led militants launched an unprecedented incursion into southern Israel from neighboring Gaza via land, sea and air. Scores of people were killed while more than 200 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The Israeli military subsequently launched retaliatory airstrikes followed by a ground invasion of Gaza, a 140-square-mile territory where more than 2 million Palestinians have lived under a blockade imposed by Israel and supported by Egypt since Hamas came to power in 2007. Gaza, unlike Israel, has no air raid sirens or bomb shelters.

Nov 25, 2023, 5:37 PM EST

Freed hostages return to Israel: IDF

The 17 released hostages, accompanied by the Israel Defense Forces special forces, are now in Israeli territory, the IDF said.

"After undergoing an initial medical assessment, they will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families," the IDF said in a statement.

This image grab taken from AFPTV video footage on Nov. 25, 2023, shows an International Red Cross vehicle reportedly carrying hostages released by Hamas driving towards the Rafah border point with Egypt ahead of their transfer to Israel.
AFPTV via AFP via Getty Images

Those released Saturday included eight Israelis ages 18 and under, including one as young as 3, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.

The four foreigners released Saturday are all of Thai nationality, the IDF said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Nov 25, 2023, 4:45 PM EST

17 hostages transferred to Egypt, IDF says

According to the Israel Defense Forces, Red Cross representatives have transferred 17 hostages to Egypt -- including 13 Israeli detainees and four foreigners.

Qatar had previously said seven foreigners would be released Saturday, though has also since updated that figure to four.

PHOTO: An International Red Cross vehicle reportedly carrying hostages released by Hamas drives towards the Rafah border point with Egypt ahead of their transfer to Israel on Nov. 25, 2023.
An International Red Cross vehicle reportedly carrying hostages released by Hamas drives towards the Rafah border point with Egypt ahead of their transfer to Israel on Nov. 25, 2023.
Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images

The released hostages' convoy is currently making its way through Egypt to the meeting point with IDF soldiers in Kerem Shalom, where the IDF will verify the list, the military said.

The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Nov 25, 2023, 3:54 PM EST

'Significant progress' in Saturday's hostage release, IDF says

Following a delay by Hamas, there has been "significant progress" in the efforts to release the hostages from the Gaza Strip Saturday night, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said.

"The effort to return the hostages is our moral and ethical duty. We are determined to fulfil this in any way," the spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, said at a press briefing Saturday evening. "The effort tonight is progressing and we will inform the families and the public when things happen. Patience is required."

"There is significant progress," he continued, though noted that "nothing is final until it actually happens."

Hagari said Israel will "go back to fighting" if the hostage agreement is not fulfilled.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Nov 25, 2023, 2:23 PM EST

Deal is back on: 13 Israeli detainees, 7 foreigners to be swapped for 39 Palestinians

After Hamas' armed wing announced that it will be delaying the scheduled release of hostages, it said it is going ahead following mediation by Qatar and Egypt. Hamas also released a list of the Palestinians set to be released -- six women and 33 teenagers.

"Hamas has responded to the Egyptian and Qatari efforts made throughout the day to ensure the continuation of the temporary truce agreement after they affirmed the occupation’s commitment to all terms set out in the agreement," the terrorist group said Saturday.

People gather as they await news of hostages expected to be released by Hamas, amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 25, 2023.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the swap will happen Saturday night.

"After a delay in implementing the release of prisoners from both sides, the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian communications with both sides, and tonight 39 Palestinian civilians will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli detainees from Gaza in addition to 7 foreigners outside the framework of the agreement," Majed Al Ansari, the Qatari MFA spokesperson, said in a statement on X on Saturday.

-ABC News' Matt Gutman and Ayat Al-Tawy

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