Hamas released a fourth group of hostages on Monday. The exchange was a result of a newly extended cease-fire deal made between Hamas and Israel.
Two American women, whom Hamas abducted in Israel on October 7 and are thought to have been kept in the Gaza Strip since then, were not among Monday night’s eleven freed hostages. The two women were planned to be released among the first 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners by the end of the original four-day truce.
White House spokesman John Kirby said earlier Monday that no Americans were believed to be among the latest group of hostages.
While unexpected, the two women could be handed over either Tuesday or Wednesday, considering both sides of the conflict extended the cease-fire period by two days. Another 20 hostages are set to be released in those two days. Four-year-old Abigail Edan, who is an Israeli-American, was released by Hamas on Sunday.
It remains unclear why Hamas did not transfer the two American women to Israel as previously expected. Counting them, nine Americans remain unaccounted for.
The eleven Israeli hostages, all of whom are dual citizens, returned home after the International Committee of the Red Cross retrieved them. “IDF and ISA forces are currently accompanying 11 released hostages inside Israeli territory. After they undergo an initial medical assessment, our forces will accompany them until they are reunited with their families,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Three French citizens, two German citizens, and six Argentinian citizens were exchanged for 33 imprisoned Palestinians as part of the cease-fire agreement in the Israel–Hamas war, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majid Al Ansari posted on X.
The newly released hostages were identified as the following: Sharon Aloni Cunio, 34; Emma Aloni Cunio, 3; Julie Aloni Cunio, 3; Or Yaakov, 16; Yagil Yaakov, 12; Sahar Kalderon, 16; Erez Kalderon, 12; Karina Engel-Bart, 52; Mika Engel, 18; Yuval Engel, 11; and Eitan Yahalomi, 12.