Israel-Gaza: Hamas scrambles to find hostages as truce extended – live

A mother and her three-year-old twin daughters were among the 11 hostages released yesterday on the fourth day of a truce between Israel and Hamas.

Sharon Aloni-Cunio, 34, and her three-year-old daughters Emma and Yuli were being held captive by Hamas since they were taken from their home kibbutz Nir Oz.

Her husband, David Cunio, and his brother, Ariel, are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza.

The family was abducted during the attack on 7 October while seeking refuge in a secure room.

Following the arson of their house by Hamas, the family was seized as they attempted to flee the flames.

Sharon’s sister, Daniele Aloni, and her daughter, who were also taken captive, were released last Friday.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Emma as “an open-hearted and amazing child, full of love. A true kibbutz girl who prefers trucks and mechanical tools over dolls”.

It said her sister Yuli “was shy, and in the weeks before her kidnapping she became more open and smiley to her surroundings”.

Another mother and seven other children were among the latest batch of freed hostages.

President Joe Biden denounced the “unthinkable” actions of Hamas after a four-year-old girl with American citizenship whose parents were killed by terrorists last month was released from inside Gaza on Sunday as part of a hostage agreement.

That four-day truce is currently underway in the northern Gaza Strip where Israeli forces have been bombarding the city for weeks; Hamas militants, following a shockingly bloody attack that killed roughly 1,200 across southern Israel last month, continue to hold dozens of hostages within the Palestinian territory.

On Sunday, Israel confirmed that Abigail Edan, four, had been among hostages released by the militant group into the care of the Red Cross. Her immediate condition was unknown.

“Thank God she is home,” Mr Biden said of Abigail on Sunday, as he addressed Americans from Nantucket. “What she endured is unthinkable.”

John Bowden has the story.

The family of a 10-month-old boy feared missing in Gaza has urged negotiators to release him as soon as possible.

Offri Bibas, who is the auntie of 10-month-old Kfir, said she feared he could be without formula or proper food.

It comes as an Israel-Hamas truce is set to expire on Wednesday before hostilities in Gaza are due to resume.

“He can’t stay there anymore. He is a 10-month-old baby. We don’t know if he is getting formula. There isn’t much food,” Ms Bibas said.

“Every day there is a risk for their mental and physical condition. They must be released. They are children; they are not supposed to be hostages.”

Kfir was kidnapped along with his four-year-old brother Ariel and his parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, from Kibbutz Nir Oz after Hamas massacred up to 1,200 Israelis on 7 October.

On Monday, the Israel Defence Forces said the Bibas family was transferred by Hamas to another Palestinian militant group in Gaza and they are being held in Khan Younis in the south of Gaza.

Aylon Keshet, who is the cousin of Mr Bibas, added that the family was living through a “nightmare” and didn’t know “anything” about their condition.

He said: “These are real people with real lives. Please do not let them stay for another day. Do not let Hamas keep using them as bargaining chips.

“We really don’t know anything. We are in the dark here. We don’t know anything about their wellbeing or condition.

“This is a nightmare scenario for us. The uncertainty is really hard. We are worried sick about them.”

Elon Musk toured a kibbutz attacked by Hamas on Monday during his visit to Israel. It follows an outcry over his endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory on his social media platform, Twitter/X.

The world’s richest man met Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visited the Kfar Aza kibbutz, which Hamas attacked on 7 October, killing an estimated 52 residents. Another 20 people are reported as missing.

It was the home of four-year-old American-Israeli citizen Abigail Edan, who was taken hostage after her parents were killed by the militant group during the attack. Abigail was reunited with members of her family on Sunday as part of the hostage exchange.

Mr Musk said witnessing the scenes of the massacre was “jarring”, during a live event on Twitter/X with Mr Neetanyahu after the tour.

Ariana Baio has the story.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating reports of war crimes committed in Gaza.

Scotland Yard’s war crimes unit is collaborating with the International Criminal Court to investigate any war crimes committed by Israel or Hamas in the region since 7 October.

The unit has received over 20 referrals, including those made by individuals recently returned from Gaza, since the conflict began.

In one case, the force has contacted a leading surgeon who worked in Al-Shifa and Al-Alhi hospitals for nearly two months to give testimony of potential war crimes.

The words of Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in an interview with the Financial Times before the truce extension was agreed by Hamas and Israel.

He was talking about Hamas requiring more hostages to complete the exchanges for Palestinian prisoners as set out as part of the truce agreement.

Sheikh Mohammed said that more than 40 other women and children were being kept captive in Gaza, but not inthe hands of Hamas. The Independent understands that figure to be more than 100 for all hostages.

Speaking before Monday’s truce extension, Sheikh Mohammed said: “If they get additional women and children, there will be an extension

“We don’t yet have any clear information how many they can find because . . . one of the purposes [of the pause] is they [Hamas] will have time to search for the rest of the missing people.”

Israel had provided Qatar with a list of more than 90 women and children seized during Hamas’ attack on 7 October, says the FT.

Federal law enforcement agencies are investigating whether the shooting of three Palestinian college students in Vermont was a hate crime.

A white gunman fired at the three men, all in their 20s, at least four times without saying anything while they were walking near the University of Vermont, according to police. The students were speaking English and Arabic and wearing keffiyehs.

Two of the victims remain in stable condition, while one of the men remains hospitalised with serious injuries.

Here’s more on what US Natioanl Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CBS on Monday night:

“We’re still in active discussions with all the parties here about potential extensions of the deal.

“Over the weekend the president was able to get this extension over the finish line, we’ll keep at itI couldn’t tell you right now as we’re talking if there’s going to be an extension and what that could look like in terms of length of days and number of hostages.

“We know that Hamas has more hostages either that they are holding or that they can get access to. So the pool is much larger than what we’ve been able to get out so far obviously.So we want to see this extended for as long as it possibly can take.”

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend a ceasefire for two more days – in a breakthrough that could see dozens of additional hostages released and more lifesaving aid flow into war-ravaged Gaza.

The decision offers a rare glimmer of hope of a possible end to the conflict that has caused “unparalleled and unprecedented” bloodshed, according to the United Nations.

Bel Trew reports from Jerusalem.

A list of Israeli hostages to be freed today has been received by Israeli prime minister’s office.

The families are being notified, the office said.

So far, Hamas has released 51 Israelis and 18 foreigners since the ceasefire began on Friday.

The pause in fighting has meant the UN has been able to increase urgent aid deliveries to Gaza.