American on List of Hostages to be Released by Hamas on Sunday

The Israeli Defense Forces said that 17 hostages, including 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals, were released by Hamas to the Red Cross on Sunday.

Abigail Eden, a 4-year-old American-Israeli whose parents were killed in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, was among those released, a U.S. official told CNN. Only three Americans, including two women and Eden, matched the criteria of the Israel-Hamas truce terms, which include the release of women and children. U.S. officials had hoped Eden would be among those released in Sunday’s exchange.

“She turned four just two days ago,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on State of the Union on Sunday. “She has been through hell. She had her parents killed right in front of her and has been held hostage for the last several weeks.”

Sunday’s exchange brought the total number of hostages released up to 58. Saturday’s swap was delayed after Hamas accused Israel of not allowing enough aid to reach northern Gaza and not releasing Palestinian prisoners, an accusation Israel denied. An impasse was resolved after negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.

A number of foreign nationals were also released between Friday and Saturday, including 14 Thai nationals and one person from the Phillippines. Medics told CNN that the foreigners were in “stable condition” following their nearly two months in captivity.