ISABEL KEANE | New York Post
Three Americans — including a 4-year-old whose parents were slain by Hamas — are expected to be among 13 hostages released by Gaza on Sunday, marking the first time US citizens would be released since a delicate cease-fire was struck up between the terror organization and Israel.
Two unidentified women and Abigail Mor Edan — who turned 4 in captivity Friday after becoming an orphan in the deadly Oct. 7 incursion — were set to be freed, senior US officials told CNN.
President Biden on Friday had expressed hope that the young Israeli-American girl would be among those released this weekend, telling reporters, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Abigail had been snatched by Hamas on Kibbutz Kfar Aza after her father Roy Edan, 43, a photojournalist, and mother Smadar Edan were killed during the Oct. 7 attack.
Her older siblings, 6 and 10, survived after hiding in a closet for 14 hours.
Abigail was reportedly in her father’s arms when he and her mother were shot and killed by Hamas.
The young girl’s family had hoped she would be released ahead of her fourth birthday, which was Friday.
“The one thing that we all hold on to is that hope now that Abigail comes home, she comes home by Friday,” her aunt, Liz Hirsh Naftali, told CNN Tuesday night.
“Friday is her fourth birthday. We need to see Abigail come out, and then we will be able to believe it.”
Hamas on Saturday released a second group of 13 Israeli hostages and four Thai hostages after hours of agonizing delay, which the terrorists blamed on Israel allegedly reneging on the terms of the four-day pause in hostilities.
At least 70 aid trucks carrying food, water, fuel, and medical supplies entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing Saturday.
The aid included nearly 40,000 gallons of fuel and four trucks with natural gas for cooking as part of the cease-fire agreement, which will allow 200 supply trucks into the war-torn region.
The excruciating negotiations came on the second day of a four-day cease-fire between the terror group and the Israeli government and stalled the release of the 39 Palestinian prisoners set to be given in exchange for 17 hostages abducted in Hamas’ vicious Oct. 7 incursion.
The Israeli hostages released Saturday were identified as Shoshan Haran, 67, Adi Shoham, 38, Yahel Shoham, 3, Naveh Shoham, 8, Shiri Weiss, 53, Noga Weiss, 18, Maya Regev, 21, Hila Rotem, 13, Emily Hand, 9, Noam Or, 17, Alma Or, 13, Noam Avigdori, 12, and Sharon Avigdori, 52.
The four Thai nationals were identified Sunday morning as Natthaphon Onkaew, Khomkrit Chombua, Anucha Angkaew and Manee Jirachat.
Israel has reportedly received the list of hostages set to be released Sunday from Qatar and notified their families.
The names had not been made public as of Sunday morning.
