27th November, 2023
Hamas released another batch of 11 Israeli hostages on Monday from Gaza, including three-year-old twins who are the youngest of all hostages.
The twins, Emma and Yuli, were released with their mother, Sharon Aloni Cunio, while their father, David is still in captivity.
The family were kidnapped in the attack on 7 October, when they had taken shelter in a safe room. Hamas had then set fire to the house, and the family were captured as they tried to escape the flames.
They were kidnapped along with Sharon’s sister Daniele Aloni and her daughter – both who were released on Friday.
The Israeli military had said 11 hostages were currently enroute to Israel.
“Based on information that was received from the Red Cross, 11 hostages are currently on their way to Israeli territory,” the Israel Defense Forces said.
According to the Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, several children, including three-year-old twins, are among the hostages freed this evening by Hamas.
He told the BBC News Channel they had been transferred to the Red Cross, adding: “We are waiting for them to be back on Israeli soil – only when they are back at home can we say this has truly been done. We think it’s just a matter of time now.”
Regev said Israel’s “framework” from the beginning was for 50 women and children to be freed over four days.