4-Year-Old Hostage Released
On October 7, Avigail Idan sadly experienced her parents’ murders before being abducted. It's genuinely heart-wrenching that Avigail had to endure her 4th birthday in captivity, a whole seven weeks later. On Sunday, she was finally set free as one of the hostages released by Hamas in a deal with Israel.
Avigail Idan is a dual citizen in Israel and the U.S., whose name has also been commonly spelled as “Abigail” in more recent articles and in the United States. Avigail was among the 240 individuals, including about 10 U.S. citizens, whom Hamas took hostage on October 7th.
After Avigail had been released from Hamas, her family members released multiple statements: “We hoped and prayed today would come,” Avigail’s cousin, Noa Naftali, and her great-aunt, Liz Hirsh Naftali, said in a statement Sunday after her release: “There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Avigail is safe and coming home.”
The situation involving young Avigail Idan has been a focal point of concern, not just locally but also in the United States where many of her kin reside. It's a story that has gripped the nation because of the harm Hamas has done to the Jewish people living in Israel, with people from all corners of the country following the updates closely.
This past Sunday, President Biden took time to address this issue. He shared his sentiments, expressing a deep sense of relief that the cease-fire has begun, offering hope amidst this horrific tragedy. The President's words served as a reminder of the human toll of such conflicts. It highlighted how these situations happen, impacting families and communities globally. Avigail's kidnapping has resonated deeply with many, and the collective wish is for her safe return and the cessation of such distressing incidents.
In the tragic attack in October at the Kfar Aza kibbutz, Avigail's parents, Roy Idan, 43, and Smadar Idan, 38, were tragically killed. The family has shared that Mr. Idan was cradling Avigail when he lost his life, a horrifying scene that her siblings, Michael and Amelia, had to witness.
While it's heartening to see several hostages reuniting with their families since the cease-fire, it's also painful to see how many know that families are still anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones who are still held captive.
While this is a challenging time, it’s important to keep hope for all who are involved in this situation. Imagining what Avigail Idan is going through is tough, but we must be hopeful that this situation will resolve peacefully and everyone will stay safe.
By Charlee Rice