Hamas releases 17 more hostages

Fourteen Israelis hostages and three foreign nationals were released to the Red Cross on Sunday by Hamas, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson. At least one of the foreign nationals is Russian, according to a statement by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing. A 4-year-old American-Israeli girl Abigail Edan was among the hostages freed today, source says

"In response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and in appreciation of the Russian position in support of the Palestinian cause, the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has released a detainee of a Russian nationality," the statement said.  

Hamas, already released 13 Israelis and four Thai hostages , officials said. Israel said it in turn freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had since received a list of hostages due to be released by Hamas on Sunday.

The list was being checked by security officials, it said, and families of the hostages had been informed. Among the hostages freed late Saturday was 21-year-old Maya Regev, who had been kidnapped by Hamas fighters in their deadly assault on the Supernova music festival, a brutal episode in the broader October 7 attack on Israel.

She was the first of the music festival hostages to be released since armed Hamas fighters swooped on the event, killing hundreds, taking captives, and sending others fleeing for their lives.