President Biden meets 4-year-old Abigail Edan, youngest American hostage freed by Hamas
WASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden met Wednesday at the White House with Abigail Edan, a four-year-old U.S.-citizen who was among the first group of hostages Hamas released from Gaza last November during a truce.
Abigail's parents were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. She and her two siblings survived the attack. Only Abigail was taken captive into Gaza.
"It was a reminder, in getting to see her, that there are still Americans and others being held hostage by Hamas," said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. "And we're working day in and day out to ensure all of them get home safely to their loved ones."
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Last year, we secured the release of Abigail, a 4-year-old who was being held by Hamas.
She’s remarkable and recovering from unspeakable trauma.
Our time together yesterday was a reminder of the work we have in front of us to secure the release of all remaining hostages. pic.twitter.com/M7bNHzZxfM— President Biden (@POTUS) April 25, 2024
Abigail was the youngest American held captive by Hamas.
Sullivan said the Edan siblings are still living with the tragedy of their parents' deaths and Abigail is still living with the trauma of being held captive for several weeks.
"But this was a moment of joy as well," Sullivan said of Biden's meeting with Abigail, "because she was able to be returned safely to her family."
Abigail, who spent 51 days in captivity, was kidnapped on Oct. 7 after she was found wandering near her family's home after her parents were gunned down by Hamas militants.
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More than 130 hostages, including five Americans, are still believed to be under Hamas captivity in Gaza. More than 100 were released last year.
The Biden administration has for months worked to secure a temporary cease-fire between Hamas and Israel that would allow for the release of the remaining hostages but progress has stalled.
Hamas on Wednesday released a video purporting to show one of the remaining American hostages: 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The short, undated video showed the 23-year-old missing a lower arm, but otherwise apparently healthy.
"I can't speak to what has caused them to release the video," Sullivan said. "All I would say is this is an innocent young man being held hostage by a terrorist organization, and he should be released immediately without conditions, without delay."
Sullivan said he intends to speak to Goldberg-Polin's parents. The FBI's Hostage Fusion Recovery Cell is currently assessing the video, Sullivan said.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden meets 4-year-old American who was held hostage by Hamas
