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.

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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 26, 2023, 4:22 PM EST

Abigail Idan's family members express 'relief and gratitude' in statement

Liz Hirsh Naftali and Noa Naftali, the great aunt and cousin, respectively, of 4-year-old Abigail Idan, issued a statement Sunday following Abigail's release by Hamas.

"We hoped and prayed today would come. There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Abigail is safe and coming home," they said.

"Thank you to President Biden and his dedicated team; thank you to the Qatari government and other informal actors who are involved in securing Abigail's release and reuniting other hostages with their loved ones," they continued. "Today's release proves that it’s possible. We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing. We will continue to stand with the families of all the hostages still held captive, and we remain committed as ever to securing their safe and swift return."

-ABC News' Desiree Adib and Arielle Schwartz

Nov 26, 2023, 2:13 PM EST

Hamas says it would be willing to extend truce

"The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas is seeking to extend the truce after the end of the four-day period, by seriously considering increasing the number of released detainees as stated in the humanitarian truce agreement," Hamas said in a statement Sunday.

The AFP news agency reported that a source close to Hamas said the group also informed mediators of its willingness to extend the current truce.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy

Nov 26, 2023, 4:04 PM EST

Biden, Netanyahu speak about hostages, latest developments in Gaza, White House says

President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday about the latest developments in Gaza, including the release of more hostages, the White House said.

"The President welcomed the release of hostages by Hamas over the past three days, including a young American girl. The two leaders also discussed the pause in the fighting and surge in much needed additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza," the White House said.

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters in Nantucket, Mass., Nov. 26, 2023, about hostages freed by Hamas in a third set of releases under a four-day cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

The Israeli prime minister's office also issued a statement following their conversation, saying they spoke with "great excitement" about the hostages who were released, including 4-year-old Abigail Idan.

"What a joy to see her with us. But on the other hand, what a pity that she returns to the reality of not having parents. She has no parents -- but she has a whole nation that embraces her and we will take care of all her needs," Netanyahu's office said.

-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez

Nov 26, 2023, 2:26 PM EST

84-year-old Israeli hostage who was released is in 'serious condition,' IDF says

Alma Avraham, an 84-year-old Israeli hostage released by Hamas Sunday, was taken to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba in "serious condition," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

"Alma, who was returned to us in serious condition, was immediately evacuated by helicopter to the hospital. She was evacuated by IDF troops while still inside Gaza,” he said during a press conference.

This undated photo released by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters shows Alma Avraham, 84 years old. Alma Avraham was part of the third group of hostages released by Hamas on Nov. 26, 2023, as part of truce deal.
Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters via AP

Due to "medical reasons" and to ensure the safety of the hostages, 13 of them were escorted out of Gaza by special forces near the community of Be'eri, "in full coordination with Egyptian security authorities," Hagari added.

In a short statement, Soroka said Avraham is in "poor physical condition and severe clinical condition."

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