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:

Nov 27, 2023, 10:56 AM EST
1st photo released of 4-year-old hostage Abigail Idan after her return home
Nov 26, 2023, 2:26 PM EST
84-year-old Israeli hostage who was released is in 'serious condition,' IDF says
Nov 26, 2023, 1:06 PM EST
Netanyahu tours Gaza Strip, PM's office says
Nov 26, 2023, 12:17 PM EST
4-year-old Abigail Idan among the hostages released Sunday: Israeli PM's office

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, 7:58 PM EST

More aid delivered to Gaza on 2nd day of pause: UN

On the second day of the humanitarian pause, 61 trucks of aid were delivered to northern Gaza on Saturday, the largest number since Oct. 7, according to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The aid included food, water and emergency medical supplies, as well as 11 ambulances delivered to Al Shifa Hospital to help with evacuations, OCHA said.

Additionally, nearly 200 trucks and 129,000 liters of fuel crossed into Gaza on Saturday, it said.

"The longer the pause lasts, the more aid humanitarian agencies will be able to send in and across Gaza," OCHA said in a statement.

Nov 25, 2023, 7:43 PM EST

Hostages heading to hospitals to reunite with families: IDF

The hostages released on Saturday are en route to hospitals in Israel, where they will reunite with their families, the Israel Defense Forces said.

"The released hostages underwent an initial medical assessment, one civilian was transferred to a hospital an hour ago, and others are currently on their way to hospitals where they will reunite with their families," the IDF said in its latest statement.

"The IDF, Israeli security forces, and healthcare are ready to continue receiving additional hostages according to the agreement, alongside the IDF preparation to continue operating in the Gaza Strip," the statement continued.

Thirteen Israeli and four foreign hostages were released Saturday, IDF said.

0:59

17 hostages transferred to Israel, IDF says

Thirteen Israeli and four foreign hostages were released Saturday, IDF said.

Israeli Army and Families Handout

Nov 25, 2023, 6:01 PM EST

Names of Israeli hostages freed on Saturday

The Israeli government released the names of the 13 Israeli hostages released on Saturday by Hamas.

This undated photo released by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Hila Rotem Shoshani, 12.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters via AP

This undated photo released by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Emily Hand, 9.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters via AP

Maya Regev, 21, appears in this undated handout image.
Hostages And Missing Families Forum via Reuters

The freed hostages, according to the Israeli Office of the Prime Minister, are:

Noam Or, 16
Alma Or, 13
Shiri Weiss, 53
Noga Weiss, 18
Sharon Hertzman Avigdori, 52
Noam Avigdori, 12
Shoshan Haran, 67
Adi Shoham, 38
Neve Shoham, 8
Yahal Shoham, 3
Hila Rotem Shoshani, 12
Emily Toni Kornberg Hand, 8
Mia Regev Jarbi, 21

This undated photo released by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Noam Or, 17.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters via AP

This undated photo released by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Alma Or, 13.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters via AP

Shiri Weiss, 53, appears in this undated handout image from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Hostages And Missing Families Forum via Reuters

Noga Weiss, 18, appears in this undated handout image from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Hostages And Missing Families Forum via Reuters

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.