Israelis, Palestinians ‘in disbelief’ as they reunite with their loved ones

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Hamas freed 17 hostages held in Gaza, including a 4-year-old American girl, while Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the third day of their truce.

According to Reuters, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had successfully transferred 17 hostages from Gaza. Hamas said it had handed over 13 Israelis, three Thais and one with Russian citizenship.

The four-year-old hostage, Abigail Edan, was on her way to the hospital for checks, Israel’s Channel 13 said. Her grandfather, Carmel Edan, told Reuters he “simply could not believe” she had been returned, thanking Biden “for all the help he’s offered us”.

Palestinians gave the freed prisoners a jubilant reception in Ramallah, according to Wafa. Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, 17, one of the detainees released on Sunday, said he’d been kept in the dark about what was happening in the outside world.

“I can’t believe I’m free now but my joy is incomplete because we still have our brothers who remain in prison, and then there is all the news about Gaza that I am having to learn about now,” he told Reuters.

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