US girl, 4, freed after Hamas gunned parents down in front of her - live updates

RECAP of today's developments

This is a recap of what's happened today:

• The third release of hostages by Hamas, in exchange for Israeli prisoners, went ahead without a hitch after nervy delays yesterday
• 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals were released including Abigal Idan, an Israeli-US national who witnessed her parents killed in front of her on October 7
• In response, 39 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisoners, Qatar said these were all "minors"
• Hamas reportedly indicated they would be interested in extending the truce - but Qatar said the militant group would need to find more hostages taken by other groups, to meet the ten hostages freed a day condition set by Israel
• Tens of thousands of people, some estimates put it over 100,000, marched through central London in a march against antisemitism today
• Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson attended the march, despite organisers not wanting him there, and was pepper sprayed and led away by police
• Three Palestinians were shot in the US near a university, with their families calling for an investigation into what they say is a hate crime
• Tomorrow the final scheduled hostage release will go ahead before fighting, as things stand, is due to restart at 7am Tuesday

One of the hostages who was returned this weekend reuniting with her husband (AP)

Israeli PM would 'welcome' extension of truce but warns this only ends with Hamas being eliminated

In a statement tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would "welcome" an extension of the temporary truce.

He stressed it would be conditional on the release of an extra ten hostages a day, but said Israel would be open to it. This comes as more and more attention turns to 7am on Tuesday, when the current temporary ceasefire comes to an end.

However, he added that he told US President Joe Biden this only ends one way "eliminating Hamas, ensuring that Gaza will not go back to being what it was".

Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, meets with British foreign secretary David Cameron (Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)

Touching moment sisters, aged eight and 15, reunited with mum after being freed by Hamas

This is the touching moment that two sisters were reunited with their mum after spending over 50 days as hostages of Hamas.

Ela Elyakim, eight, and her sister Dafna, 15, were taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific October 7 attacks, during which their father was killed.

But this evening they were released and reunited with their mum Maayan Zin.

Tiger attacks two people in five days as soldiers called in to hunt down big cat

Dafna and Ela Elyakim were finally reunited with their mum after over 50 days captive as hostages of Hamas

Tommy Robinson was pepper sprayed by police earlier at a march in London

Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson was pepper sprayed by police as they arrested him earlier today at a march against antisemitism in central London.

Despite organisers of the march not wanting him there, Robinson attended at his own insistence.

Far right leader Tommy Robinson is asked to leave by teh police and then arrested (Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock)

Israel has 'killed only around 1-2,000 Hamas fighters' despite killing 13,000 Palestinians

Israel has reportedly only killed 1,000-2,000 Hamas fighters, despite around 13,000 Palestinians having been killed by their airstrikes, the Guardian reports.

If they were to continue killing innocents at this rate, relative to the reported number of fighters, they would kill around 20,000 people, around one per cent of the population of Gaza.

The outlet said that Hamas was beleived to have a ground force of around 30,000 fighters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to eradicate the militant group.

This comes as the fragile ceasefire heads towards its final day, with concerns what the continuation of fighting would mean for civilians in Palestine - where 1.7million people have been displaced.

Palestinians inspect the damage to their homes and search for belongings upon their return (AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas needs to find more hostages to be able to extend truce, Qatar reportedly says

Hamas has admitted that to release more hostages, it needs to find them first, the Financial Times have reported.

In order to extend the current fragile ceasefire, Hamas will have to release ten hostages a day. However, to do so, the Qatari prime minister told the outlet that the group will need to find dozens of other hostages taken on the bloody attack on October 7.

This is because Hamas wasn't the only militant group responsible for the slaughter of innocent lives, but others such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad also were - they are also beleived to hold some hostages.

With the pause in fighting due to end Monday, it leaves Hamas with a race against time to track down the other groups and find where their hostages are. US President Joe Biden said that there were "probably" other militant groups involved in holding the hostages at a media briefing today.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman told the FT that more than 40 women and children are thought to be being held by groups besides Hamas. He said: "We don’t yet have any clear information how many they can find. One of the purposes [of the tenmporary ceasefire] is they [Hamas] will have time to search for the rest of the missing people. If they get additional women and children, there will be an extension."

Palestinians walk amidst the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City earlier today (AFP via Getty Images)

Emotional moment released yesterday's hostages see family again

This is the touching moment one released hostage saw her son again.

Sharon Hertzman was one of the hundreds taken by Hamas gunmen during their bloody attack on October 7.

After around 50 days captive, she was released yesterday, during the ongoing fragile ceasefire. At the Sheba Medical Center she hugged her son, Omer.

Sharon Hertzman hugs hugs her son Omer at Sheba Medical Center, after she was released by Hamas militants yesterday (Haim Zach/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Two arrests made in today's march against antisemitism

There were two arrests during Sunday’s march against antisemitism, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said in a statement: “The March Against Antisemitism has concluded.

"As the crowds left along Whitehall a man was heard to make antisemitic comments. He was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

"In total there were two arrests during today’s operation."

Boris Johnson attended the march against antisemitism with his wife Carrie today ( Splash News)

Israel has received the list of hostages expected to be released tomorrow

Israel has received the list of hostages expected to be released on Sunday.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the list had been released to them, and relayed to the relevant families.

One of the Thai nationals freed earlier today by Hamas (HAITHAM IMAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Palestinian prisoners welcomed back to West Bank

The Palestinian prisoners released by Israel this evening were welcomed back by a crowd several hundred strong.

In return for the release of every one Israeli hostage, three Palestinians have been released. This evening, they received a hero's welcome in the West Bank, with many waving victory signs and Hamas flags.

200 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza today, Israel say

Today saw another 200 trucks of humanitarian aid enter Gaza, Israel said this evening.

Of the aid, 42 trucks contained shelter equipment after Israeli airstrikes and attacks have displaced 1.7million Palestinians, and left countless residential areas flattened.

Alongside that, there are 3,600 tonnes of tents, blankets and mattresses.

Trucks transporting humanitarian aid drive through Gaza today (AFP via Getty Images)

Hamas reportedly looking to extend truce

Hamas is reportedly looking to extend the truce with Israel.

The group reportedly said in a statement that an extension could be brought about if Israel makes "serious efforts". If an extension is brought about, Hamas will have to release ten more hostages every day.

The BBC reported they added they were "seeking to extend the truce after the end of the four days through seriously trying to increase the number of hostages released as stipulated in the humanitarian truce deal".

International Red Cross vehicles, carrying Israeli hostages released from Gaza, through the Rafah crossing to Egypt in Rafah, Gaza (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Family of four-year-old US girl who saw parents die in front of her issue statement

The family of Abigail Idan have issued a statement following her release today.

The four-year-old US national was kidnapped by Hamas militants during the bloody October 7 attack after they gunned down her dad and mum in front of her.

But speaking out today, her great aunt and cousin thanked the US and other parties that helped secure her release. Haaretz reported that they said: "We hoped and prayed today would come. There are no words to express our relief and gratitude that Abigail is safe and coming home.

"Thank you to President Biden and his dedicated team; thank you to the Qatari government and other informal actors who are involved in securing Abigail’s release and reuniting other hostages with their loved ones. Today’s release proves that it’s possible. We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing. We will continue to stand with the families of all the hostages still held captive, and we remain committed as ever to securing their safe and swift return."

Abigail (left) and her family - her parents were tragically slaughtered on October 7 but her siblings survived (NBC News)

What happens next?

After a successful release on the third day of the temporary ceasefire, the return to conflict is on the horizon.

Tomorrow will mark the final day of the ceasefire and hostage release/prisoner exchange. Following that, as things stand, conflict will restart again - the same fighting that has claimed over ten thousand Palestinian lives and displaced 1.7million people following the bloody October 7 attacks.

The only way, as things stand, that this uneasy truce will be extended is if Hamas release ten hostages a day. This will extend the pause in fighting by a day each time.

However, it isn't clear if the militant group are willing to do so, or how much further Israel are willing to push the fighting and loss of innocent Palestinian lives.

Children ride a bicycle through the road amid wreckage of residential areas after previous Israeli attacks during third day of the humanitarian pause in Khan Yunis, Gaza (Anadolu via Getty Images)

How many hostages have been released so far?

Today is the third day of the temporary ceasefire that has allowed the sustained release of hostages held by Hamas - the Israelis they took during the bloody October 7 attack.

Earlier this evening, fourteen Israelis and three foreign nationals were released by Hamas, in exchange another 39 Palestinians were released from prison.

This came after a nervy delay in yesterday's release as Hamas complained Israel had violated their agreement. The interruption threatened to throw the temporary ceasefire into jepoardy on just its second day, but mediating countries, including the US, were able to get the release back on track.

Sharon Hertzman, right, hugging a relative as they reunite at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Saturday (AP)

Saturday and Friday both saw 13 Israelis released, in exchange for another 39 Palestinian prisoners, but the first day of the ceasefire also saw ten Thai nationals and one Filipino also released.

So far, 54 hostages have been released during this window and 117 prisoners freed. In October, two American and two Israeli hostages were also released.

Top Hamas commander killed

A top Hamas commander has been killed.

Ahmed al-Ghandour was killed in the fighting before the ongoing temporary ceasefire began on Friday. He is in charge of northern Gaza and a member of Hamas top military council, Israeli media reported.

Both Hamas and Israel confirmed the death of the man believed to be in his late 50s. He was killed along with three other senior militants including one Israel claimed was involved with Hamas' rocket-firing unit.

Palestinians sit on a couch amid wreckage of the residential areas after previous Israeli attacks during third day of the humanitarian pause in Khan Yunis, Gaza (Anadolu via Getty Images)

84-year-old Israeli hostage rushed to hospital in 'serious condition'

Amongst the hostages released by Hamas tonight was one 84-year-old Alma Avraham.

The elderly woman was reportedly rushed to hospital by air ambulance, after being turned over to Israeli authorities from the Red Cross, Haaretz said.

Her current condition is unknown.

Alma Avraham

Israeli Prime Minister adviser defends use of tear gas outside West Bank prison

An adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the use of tear gas outside a West Bank prison.

Mark Regev defended the actions taken against Palestinians who gathered outside the Ofer Prison, where tear gas and live ammunition was used. He told Sky News: "There are radicals across the West Bank who want to use the crisis in Gaza as an excuse to escalate the situation and create violence,".

Alongside this, he accused Hamas of wanting to turn prisoners into heroes. Many of those held are held under administrative detention, meaning without trial. He also said there was a "clear path" to extending the truce - namely freeing ten hostages every single day.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mark Regev (WPA Pool)

Israel confirms release of 39 Palestinian prisoners

Israel has confirmed the release of 39 Palestinian prisoners.

They were released as a part of the ongoing hostage release deal during the temporary ceasefire.

In return for every one Israeli hostage Hamas release, three Palestinian prisoners are being released - all of whom are thought to be women and children but it isn't clear what exact ages they are.

Qatar said all of those released tonight were "minors".

A Red Cross vehicle carrying hostages as it travelled through Gaza earlier this evening (AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)

Three children and their mum amongst hostages released this evening

Three young children, the eldest being just ten-years-old, and their mum were amongst the hostages released tonight.

Hagar Brodetz, 40, and her three children, Ofri, Yuval, and Oriya, were all taken from the Kfar Aza kibbutz during the horrific October 7 attack. According to the Hostages and Missing Persons Families forum, Ofri turned ten the day after she was kidnapped.

Yubal is eight and Oriya is just four-years-old.

Mum Hagar (top left), and Ofri (top right), Yuval (bottom right), and Oriya (bottom left)

US national Abigail Idan, 4, amongst those freed after Hamas gunned parents down in front of her

One of the hostages freed tonight was four-year-old Abigal Idan.

The US national horrifically saw her mum and then dad gunned down in front of her when Hamas gunman attacked her kibbutz. She also celebrated her fourth birthday on just Friday.

In a press conference this evening, Joe Biden said: "Two days ago, one of our fellow Americans, a little girl called Abigail, turned four-years-old. She spent her birthday and at least 50 days before that was held hostage by Hamas. Today she is free. Jill and I, together with so many Americans, are praying for the fact se will be alright. She is free and in Israel now.

Abigail's parents were both killed in front of her by Hamas militants

"She’s been through a terrible trauma. Her mum was killed in front of her when her kibbutz was attacked by Hamas terrorists. Abigail ran to her dad then, and then he was gunned down as well whilst using his body to shield little Abigail. She then ran to a neighbour for help, but they were all taken hostage … what she endured is unthinkable."

Watch the entire press conference below - the US President begins speaking at 2.17

Join me as I deliver remarks on the release of hostages from Gaza. https://t.co/hcgICmIEcH

— President Biden (@POTUS) November 26, 2023

Freed hostages named as four-year-old American amongst those released

The names of all the hostages freed tonight have been released by the office of the Israeli prime minister. This includes 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals.

They are:

• Avigail Idan (4)
• Alma Avraham (84)
• Aviva Adrienne Siegel (62)
• Ron Krivoi (25)

The Brodetz family

• Hagar Brodetz (40)
• Ofri Brodetz (10)
• Yuval Brodetz (8)
• Oriya Brodetz (4)

The Goldstein-Almog family

• Chen Goldstein-Almog (48)
• Agam Goldstein-Almog (17)
• Gal Goldstein-Almog (11)
• Tal Goldstein-Almog (8)

The Elyakim Family

• Dafna Elyakim (15)
• Ela Elyakim (8)

Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners, 'all minors', in exchange for hostages

Israel is to release 39 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the 13 Israeli hostages freed this evening.

All of the prisoners are said to be "minors" according to Qatar.

Dr Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry, said: "In implementation of the commitments of the third day of the humanitarian truce agreement, 39 Palestinian civilians will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli civilians from Gaza, in addition to a Russian national and 3 Thais who have already been handed over to the ICRC.

"All those released from Israeli prisons are minors, while those released from Gaza include 9 children and 4 women. Including 2 people holding American citizenships & 2 Hungarians."

Vehicles transporting humanitarian aid drive along the Salaheddine road in the Zeitoun district on the southern outskirts of Gaza City today (AFP via Getty Images)

Red Cross to visit all hostages as part of ceasefire agreement

The Red Cross is to visit all hostages still held by Hamas as apart of the four-day truce agreement, the White House has confirmed.

Benjamin Netanyahu previously said to his cabinet that the organisation would visit the hostages to assess their situations. This was confirmed today by the White House. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told NBC: “By the end of the fourth day, that is by the end of tomorrow, we expect to have that information ... It is part of the agreement that [it] be done by the Red Cross, and we expect that to be fulfilled."

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (Getty Images)

Egypt thanks Qatar as mediators for third hostage release

Egypt has extended its thanks to Qatar as both countries functioned as mediators for the hostage releases and prisoner trades, that took place again this evening.

Egypt's President, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, thanked Qatar for their "efforts and teamwork" which helped complete the "humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip" which made the "exchange of prisoners and detainees a success."

He added: "I look forward to more joint cooperation to meet the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people and establish comprehensive peace."

أتوجه بخالص الشكر والتقدير إلى سمو الأمير تميم بن حمد أمير دولة قطر الشقيقة على جهوده المبذولة وفريق عمله، والتي تكاملت مع الجهود المصرية لاتمام الهدنة الإنسانية في قطاع غزة وإنجاح عملية تبادل الأسرى والمحتجزين، وأتطلع للمزيد من التعاون المشترك لتلبية تطلعات الشعب الفلسطيني…

— Abdelfattah Elsisi (@AlsisiOfficial) November 26, 2023

Freed hostages are back in Israel

The hostages freed by Hamas tonight are back in Israel.

Twelve of the hostages travelled, escorted by the Red Cross, into Israel from Gaza, as four others are currently being taken to the Rafah Crossing. Meanwhile one was taken directly to hospital via helicopter.

Two US hostages freed by Hamas

Two of tonight's freed hostages are US nationals, it's been confirmed.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that amongst tonight's freed hostages, two are US nationals.

One of them is four-year-old Abigail Idan, who celebrated her most recent birthday on Friday.

Netanyahu vowed that Israel's efforts would continue 'until victory' (Israeli Prime Minister Office/AF)

More pictures of Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Gaza

Netanyahu met with IDF soldiers and commanders (Israeli Prime Minister Office/AF)

Israeli Prime Minister travels to Gaza during temporary ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to the Gaza Strip today.

At an undisclosed location, he met with Israli soldiers and commanders, including seeing a Hamas tunnel that they had uncovered, according to an official statement.

He promised that "every effort" was being made to get the remaining hostages back. He added: "We have three goals for this war: eliminate Hamas, return all our abductees and ensure that Gaza does not become a threat to the state of Israel again."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets soldiers at undisclosed location in the Gaza Strip (Israeli Prime Minister Office/AF)

Touching first conversation freed nine-year-old captive has after release

This is the touching conversation that nine-year-old Ohad had with Israel Defence Force soldiers after he was released on Friday, the first day of the truce.

The youngster was released with his mum and grandmother after 49 days in captivity.

9-year-old Ohad, his mother and grandmother, were released after 49 days in Hamas' captivity on Friday, November 24.

Listen to Ohad’s conversation with an IAF helicopter pilot during his first moments of regained freedom. pic.twitter.com/CcRNzNzsVi

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 26, 2023