Biden says 4-year-old Abigail Edan was released by Hamas. He hopes more U.S. hostages will be freed

By SEUNG MIN KIM and COLLEEN LONG
Associated Press

NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — President Joe Biden has confirmed that Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old American girl held hostage by Hamas after her parents were killed, has been released as part of the cease-fire deal in the Israel-Hamas war. The president says Abigail is “safely in Israel.” Biden told reporters on Sunday, “Thank God she’s home” and he said, “I wish I were there to hold her.” She was the first American hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire. Biden said he did not have immediate information on Abigail’s condition. More than 200 people were taken to Gaza from Israel in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that touched off the war. Abigail had a birthday in captivity.