The 13 Israelis who were released Saturday night were largely from the Beeri kibbutz and included a grandmother and a 3-year-old.
Noam Avigdori, 12, and her mother, Sharon, 52, were kidnapped from the kibbutz while visiting Sharon’s brother. Seven more members of the family were taken captive on Oct. 7, and three were killed.
Alma Or, 13, was also kidnapped from her home in Beeri with older brother Noam, 17. Both were released on Saturday. Their mother, Yonat, was killed in the Hamas attack.
Hila Rotem, 13, and Emily Hand, 9, were also released, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Rotem was kidnapped in Beeri after escaping her house, where her mother, Raaya, was taken. She was eventually found in bushes and brought into Gaza.
“Emily has come back to us,” read a statement from the family released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. “We can’t find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days.”
Emily’s family said they were “overjoyed” to be reunited with her and thanked well-wishers for their support.
Shoshan Haran, 67, her daughter Adi Shoham, 38, and her grandchildren Nave, 8, and Yael, 3, were also among those released. In total, eight members of their family were kidnapped, and three were killed.
All were taken in Beeri during a visit with their relatives there.
Shiri Weiss, 53, was also kidnapped in Beeri as her daughter, Noga, watched while hiding under a bed. Noga, 18, then fled her house as it was burned but was eventually taken, too, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Both were released Saturday evening.
Shiri’s husband, Ilan, was also kidnapped and was not among those released.
