The 13 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas
A second group of hostages has been released by Hamas in a prisoner swap deal with Israel.
Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals were freed on Saturday night, despite an eleventh-hour dispute and Hamas claims that Israel had breached the terms of a ceasefire agreement.
Among those released are several survivors of the massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the hardest-hit communities in southern Israel on October 7, where more than 130 people were killed.
Israeli officials are optimistic that more hostages will be released by the terror group in the coming days.
Emily Hand
Age: Nine
Emily Hand was at a sleepover at her friend’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri on the night that Hamas launched its terror attack on October 7.
The Israeli-Irish girl was thought to have been killed, but was later established to have been captured by Hamas and transported into Gaza.
She was eight years old at the time of her capture and turned nine on November 17, while in captivity.
Her father, Thomas Hand, told CBS News before her birthday: “The sad thing about it is, she won’t even know what day it is. She won’t know whether it’s night or day…even though it’s her birthday.”
In an interview with CNN, he added: “The thought of a little eight-year-old child in the hands of those animals…can you imagine the sheer horror for an eight-year-old child?”
Shoshan Haran
Age: 67
Shoshan Haran, 67, was captured from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7 along with six members of her extended family who were celebrating Sukkot, a Jewish holiday, at her home.
Ms Haran is an Israeli-German citizen who runs a non-profit organisation to help farms in poor countries and holds an agriculture degree.
After her home was raided, Hamas terrorists destroyed it with explosives.
Adi, Yahel and Naveh Shoham
Ages: 38, three and eight
Adi Shoham, Shoshan Haran’s daughter, was kidnapped along with her two children Yahel, three, and Naveh, eight.
Her husband, Tal, remains a hostage in Gaza after his wife and children were freed on Saturday.
Her brother, Yuval Haran, helped organise a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of the hostages earlier this month.
Shiri and Noga Weiss
Ages: 53 and 18
Noga Weiss watched her mother Shiri be captured by Hamas on October 7 in Kibbutz Be’eri, but hid under a bed from the terrorists.
After being forced to leave their home by a fire, she was also captured and taken to Gaza with her mother.
Her father, Ilan, left home to join an emergency response group after the Hamas attacks and has not returned. He is officially classified as missing.
Maya Regev
Age: 21
Maya Regev, 21, was captured by Hamas at the Supernova music festival, where terrorists butchered 260 people and captured 40.
Her brother, Itai, remains hostage in Gaza. Ms Regev was the only one of the hostages released on Saturday to be taken to hospital, but was reported to be in a stable condition with a moderate leg injury and receiving medical treatment.
She reportedly called her father before being abducted to tell him she had been shot.
Hila Rotem Shoshani
Age: 12
Thirteen-year-old Hila Rotem Shoshani and her mother, Raaya Rotem, were taken from their home in Kibbutz Be’eri.
Although Hila has now been released, her mother remains a Hamas hostage, enraging Israeli officials who said Hamas had split up families.
Hila initially escaped from terrorists in the kibbutz and hid in some nearby bushes, but was discovered and taken as a hostage.
She is described as a “friendly girl with a good heart” who loves making TikTok videos and riding on her skateboard.
Noam and Alma Or
Ages: 17 and 13
The Or family was devastated on October 7 when Hamas captured Noam and Alma Or and killed their mother Yonat.
On Saturday the two children, aged 17 and 13, were released in the hostage deal but their father Dror and cousin Liam remain in Hamas custody.
Dror Or is a local chef and cheesemaker in Be’eri, while his wife created her own furniture line.
Sharon and Noam Avigdori
Ages: 52 and 12
Noam Avigdori and her mother, Sharon, were captured at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7.
Seven members of their family were kidnapped and three murdered when Hamas launched its attack.
Noam, 12, was about to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah, and is described as a dog lover and a “cheerful girl who is always surrounded by many friends”.
Her mother is a drama therapist who works with autistic children.
