She is 4 years old, and spent her birthday in the captivity of a terrorist organization. Avigail Idan (Abigail according to Western spelling) is one of the hostages released on November 26 thanks to the truce agreement, among the 240 Israeli citizens kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. With dual nationality, she is the only Israeli-American to have been freed since the start of the war.
In the coming days, it will be the subject of particular attention from Israel and the United States. Because unlike the 39 other released hostages, the little girl no longer has any close family. According to a senior American official, Abigail lost both of her parents during the October 7 assault. Roy Idan, 43, and Smadar Idan, 38, were fatally shot at Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the attack. Their house was located three kilometers from the border with Gaza, reports the Washington Post. Her mother was murdered before her eyes and those of her two siblings, who emerged unscathed from the attack, then her father died trying to protect her. Abigail then ran away to neighbors – “covered in her father’s blood”, Abigail’s aunt tells the New York Times – with whom she was taken hostage.
“A whole country hugs her”
“Thank God she’s home,” Joe Biden reacted to journalists on Sunday after leaving a mass in Nantucket, Massachusetts. “I wish I was there to hold her,” he continued, adding that the little girl “had suffered terrible trauma.” Welcoming Abigail’s release, he also assured that she was receiving love, care and “the support services she needs”. According to CNNthe girl, whose condition is unknown, was taken to Schneider Children’s Medical Center, where the other child hostages were transferred.
The question of the country of care for the little girl was not specified. But following her release, the White House announced that “President Biden spoke by telephone with members of Abigail’s family in the United States and Israel.” On the Israeli side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared following an interview with Joe Biden: “She no longer has parents, but she has an entire country that hugs her. We will take good care of her. ‘She.”
Two Americans released this Monday?
Several members of his family expressed their immense relief when interviewed by international media. In a joint statement on Sunday, Abigail’s great-aunt and cousin thanked Joe Biden, the Qatari government and other “informal actors” involved in the release of the hostages held by Hamas. “We hoped and prayed for this day to come. There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Abigail is safe and coming home.”
The release of the child, a particularly valuable hostage for Hamas due to his dual nationality, was according to CNN negotiated harshly by the American army in order to intervene as quickly as possible. Ten Americans were taken captive, including two other women, who were not released despite pressure from the United States. They could nevertheless be part of the group of hostages released during this last day of the truce, initially planned for four days – during which another 11 Israeli women and children must still be released to respect the agreement -, and which could be extended .