U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he and his wife, Jill Biden, are “deeply gratified” that the American high school teacher and Yad Vashem guide Liat Beinin was one of the 16 hostages released on Wednesday.
“We remain determined to secure the release of every person taken hostage by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on Israel on Oct. 7, including Liat’s husband, Aviv [Atzili],” he stated.
The U.S. president repeated that his administration has worked “intensively” to “secure, sustain and extend” the pause in fighting, now in its sixth day.
“This deal has delivered meaningful results. Nearly 100 hostages have been returned to their loved ones,” Biden said. “The United States has led the international community to use this pause to accelerate the delivery of additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
The Israeli government published the names of the 12 Israeli citizens released on Nov. 29 and early Thursday morning in Israel.
They are: Gal Tarshansky (13), Amit Shani (15), Ofir Engel (17), Liam Or (18), Itay Regev Jerbi (18), Yarden Roman-Gat (35), Moran Stela Yanai (40), Liat Beinin Atzili (49), Yelena Trupanov (50), Ra’aya Rotem (54), Raz Ben-Ami (56) and Irena Tati (73).
Hamas terrorists also released four Thai nationals not named by the Israeli government.