From an 85-Year-Old Grandmother to 2- and 4-Year-Old Sisters... 13 Israeli Hostages Released

Among the 13 Israeli hostages released on the 24th (local time) after being held captive by the Palestinian armed group Hamas were the oldest hostage, an 85-year-old grandmother, and sisters aged 2 and 4.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, foreign media such as the US CNN and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) introduced the stories of the 13 hostages released, as disclosed by the Israeli hostage family representative group, the 'Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.'

The released hostages included four children and their mothers, six elderly women, and except for one, all were kidnapped from the southern Nir Oz kibbutz area.

Among them, the oldest hostage kidnapped on the 7th of last month, 85-year-old Yaffa Adardo, was also released this time.

According to a spokesperson from the Nir Oz area, Adardo's 38-year-old grandson, Tamir Adardo, who was kidnapped together on this day, remains in captivity.

Raj (4) and Aviv (2), sisters who were kidnapped along with their mother Doron Katz-Asher (34) while visiting family in Nir Oz, were also released this time.

Doron, who worked as an accountant in the central Israeli city of Ganot Hadar, was kidnapped while visiting Nir Oz with her daughters.

In addition, five women in their 70s who had been living peaceful lives after retirement were able to reunite with their families and grandchildren.

Margaret Moses, 77, who worked as a biology teacher and enjoyed hiking after retirement, was described by her family as a grandmother who constantly knitted vests and sweaters for her grandchildren.

Adina Moshe, 72, who has four children, was shown in a video being dragged away on a motorcycle with two Hamas militants.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum stated, "Moshe has now returned and can help raise her grandchildren who live nearby and return to hobbies such as cooking, gardening, and reading."

Most of the hostages released this time left their families who were taken to Gaza Strip or lost family members in the Hamas attack on the 7th of last month.

British BBC reported that while there is relief that they have returned safely, there is also sorrow for family members who have not yet been released or who have died.

Among those released, 79-year-old woman Channa Perry lost her son Roy in the Hamas attack, and another son remains held hostage.

Previously, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), an armed group that kidnapped people along with Hamas, had announced the death of 77-year-old Hanna Kazir, but she has now safely returned.

Her son remains held hostage, and her husband died in the attack on the 7th of last month.

Separately from the 13 Israeli hostages, 11 hostages from Thailand and the Philippines were also released this time.

Meanwhile, the health condition of the released hostages is generally good, but some complain of gastrointestinal symptoms, and urgent treatment for psychological trauma is needed, WSJ reported.

Hagari Levin, a medical staff member of the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, said after meeting the hostages that some complained of symptoms such as gastroenteritis and may show symptoms related to vitamin C deficiency or lack of exercise.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.