Three Americans including little girl, 3, orphaned in Hamas attack among first to be freed

Among the first hostages due to be released are three Americans in a just-negotiated ceasefire agreement.

22:13 ET, Tue, Nov 21, 2023 | UPDATED: 00:07 ET, Wed, Nov 22, 2023

Three Americans expected to be among first hostages released by Hamas

Abigail Edan will be one of the first hostages released (Image: YouTube)

Among the first three hostages scheduled to be released in the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine are three Americans who have been stuck in the region since the fighting kicked off in October, according to a US official.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the hostage group set to be released will include two American women and an American girl named Abigail who will turn four on Friday.

The first is likely to be freed Thursday morning, the official said.

Hamas killers chase down fleeing Israelis

Abigail Edan is an Israeli-American girl who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Her parents are believed to have been killed in the initial attacks.

However, the Biden administration has said that they cannot make any "reliable guarantee" that she will be amongst the first hostages released.

Earlier today Joe Biden told reporters: "We could bring some of the hostages home very soon, but I don't want to get into the details of things because nothing is done until it's done."

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby later said: "I think we all need to be humble in terms of the time, the appropriate amount of time it could take to physically move them to safety.

Don't miss...
Biden's plan to negotiate with ‘barbaric’ Hamas will 'never' work, expert says [LATEST]
Israel, Qatar and US say Hamas hostage crisis could be resolved in 'hours' [SPOTLIGHT]
Video shows aftermath of deadly Israeli airstrike on Hamas deputy commander [INSIGHT]

"With the expectation that some of these people could be in pretty rough shape, I think we all need to, you know, be prepared for the fact that it could take hours if not days to complete their release. Their safety, their security, will be paramount. And if that means going a little slower then my goodness, we'll go a little slower."

Israel has approved a deal — facilitated by Qatar — that would permit a truce with Palestine in exchange for the release of 50 hostages, who it's been reported could be released on November 23 at 12pm.

Three Americans are expected to be among the first hostages released by Hamas, along with a woman who gave birth while she was being held by the group.

The governments, however, made clear that this deal is a ceasefire, and "not an end to the fighting".

The deal calls for a four-day cease-fire, during which Israel will halt its military offensive in Gaza while Hamas frees “at least” 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it and other militants are holding, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

The first hostages to be released are women and children.