The 3-year-old United States citizen being held hostage by Hamas has been recognized as Abigail Edan, a member of the family stated.
Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, the kid’s nice aunt, says Abigail is the kid President Joe Biden was referring to in a current name with the Emir of Qatar.
The White House didn’t disclose further details about the toddler. However, a White House official stated the toddler is the youngest American hostage and the one identified US minor little one presently being held.
Abigail’s father, Roy Edan, was holding her exterior their dwelling at Kibbutz Kfar Aza when Hamas terrorists started their assault on October 7, Naftali informed CNN.
“Abigail’s siblings saw their mother being killed by Hamas terrorists in their home. They ran out to their father, who was holding Abigail, and he was murdered,” she stated, including that her niece, Smadar Edan — the kid’s mom — had additionally been killed within the assault.
Naftali relayed accounts she heard from the siblings — ages 10 and 6 — as they recalled working again inside their dwelling and locking themselves in a closet for over 12 hours. The kids believed their youthful sister was lifeless till the household heard from a witness of the assault, Naftali stated.
“Abigail survived the shooting and walked to her neighbors. The neighbors took her in, a husband and wife with three kids. They put her in the bomb shelter,” Naftali stated, in keeping with what a witness informed the household.
Naftali stated the husband was injured whereas defending the kibbutz and a witness informed the household that they noticed a terrorist taking the spouse and their three kids together with Abigail away from the house.
President Biden mentioned the struggle in Gaza and efforts to free hostages with the Emir of Qatar on Sunday.
“The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay,” the White House stated in a readout from the name.
CNN’s Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
