Joe Biden has referred to as for the truce between Hamas and Israel in Gaza to be prolonged after extra hostages have been launched on Sunday.
The newest captives to be freed embrace four-year-old twin Israeli-American nationwide Abigail Edan, whose mother and father have been reportedly killed within the 7 October assaults.
The US president stated her father was “gunned down while using his body to shield little Abigail”, who then ran to a neighbour’s home the place she was taken hostage alongside one other household.
“What she endured is unthinkable,” Mr Biden advised a information convention.
He added: “Thank God she’s home… I wish I were there to hold her.”
Israel-Gaza newest: IDF says 17 hostages transferred to Red Cross
It got here as one other 17 hostages have been launched by Hamas on Sunday night time, together with not less than 13 Israelis and three Thais. The whole additionally features a Russian nationwide, who it’s reported might have twin Israeli citizenship.
Another 39 Palestinian prisoners, have been launched by Israel on Sunday as a part of the deal.
The launch comes as a part of an settlement between the 2 sides for a four-day truce, which is because of finish on Monday night time.
But Mr Biden stated he hoped the “humanitarian pause” might be prolonged to permit extra captives to be freed – and for extra support to be taken into Gaza.
He advised reporters in Nantucket, Massachusetts: “that’s my goal, that’s our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow, so that we can continue to see more hostages come out and surge more humanitarian relief to those in need in Gaza.”
Mr Biden stated the US would “not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones,” whereas he additionally emphasised that “innocent children in Gaza are suffering greatly as well”.
The president stated a complete of 58 hostages had now been freed by Hamas.
He is because of maintain additional talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu afterward Sunday.
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The Palestinian prisoners who might be launched by Israel
Who are the primary 26 Israeli hostages launched by Hamas?
The Israeli Defence Forces stated 13 of the newest hostages to be freed have been now again in Israel, whereas the 4 others have been being taken to Egypt.
Under the phrases of the four-day truce, Hamas will launch a complete of fifty hostages, whereas Israel will launch 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The settlement had been liable to collapse earlier on Saturday when Hamas’s armed wing accused Israel of breaking a few of its phrases, earlier than it was salvaged following mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US.
Prior to Sunday, 26 Israeli hostages had been launched by Hamas, together with 13 on Friday and 13 on Saturday. An additional 14 Thai nationals and one Filipino have been additionally been freed.
Irish-Israeli schoolgirl Emily Hand, who had initially been feared lifeless, was amongst these freed on Saturday night time.
Meanwhile, 78 Palestinian ladies, kids and teenage prisoners have been in flip launched by Israel as a part of the deal, together with 39 on Friday and 39 on Saturday.
A complete of round 240 hostages have been taken by Hamas throughout its assault on 7 October, during which greater than 1,200 folks have been killed.
More than 14,000 folks have been killed since then in Gaza, together with greater than 9,000 ladies and kids, based on UN estimates.
Source: information.sky.com”