Great-grandma taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on golf cart is among Israelis freed
An image of Yaffa Adar, 85, being taken away by machine-gun wielding terrorists was seen around the world. Today, she was photographed again - being released from captivity.
A great-grandma held hostage by Hamas has been released from captivity - two weeks after an image of her being captured on a golf cart was viewed around the world.
The picture of Yaffa Adar, 85, riding passenger underneath a pink blanket alongside machine-gun wielding terrorists emerged on October 7 as militants launched a bloody invasion of Israel.
Today, Ms Adar was seen walking into the safe hands of rescuers to begin her journey home with 12 other Israeli hostages - all of whom were women and children.
Ten Thai hostages and one Filipino have also been released as part of a separate deal between Hamas and the Egyptian government.
Hamas has agreed to release a total of 50 hostages during a four-day pause in fighting, which started on Friday morning at 10am EST. In exchange, the group says 150 Palestinian women and teenagers will be released from Israeli jails.
READ MORE: Joe Biden confirms American girl, four, remains in Hamas captivity
Ms Adar's stoic demeanor during her capture was explained by granddaughter Adva Adar, who said "she wasn't going to panic".
She also described the family's anger as the photo emerged, telling Reuters: "I can't even start to understand how people think it makes sense to kidnap an 85-year-old lady, kidnap babies, kidnap kids. It's not human."
The footage was among the first evidence that Hamas fighters had not only killed Israelis — more than 1,400, the vast majority civilians — but had dragged dozens back to Gaza regardless of age in the most complex hostage crisis the country has ever faced.
It led to a fierce reaction from Israel including widespread airstrikes on Gaza. More than 13,300 Palestinians have tragically been killed as a result, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled region.
Ms Adar will now be reunited with her three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandkids.
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On Friday evening, Joe Biden said today's release is the "start of the process", with more hostages to be freed in the days ahead.
Among these is Israeli-American Abigail Mor Edan, who turned four today in captivity and lost both her parents in the violent attack on the Kibbutz Kfar Aza where she lived.
Her siblings, aged six and 10, survived after hiding in a closet for 14 hours.
Speaking in Nantucket, President Biden said: "Over the next few days, we expect dozens of hostages will be returned to their families. We also remember all those who are still being held and we renew our commitment to work for their release as well.
"Two American women and one four-year-old child, Abigail, also remain among those missing.
"We will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and an answer to their whereabouts."
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