Israeli-American Girl Abigail Mor Edan Could be Released by Hamas

Abigail Mor Edan, a 3-year-old Israeli-American girl whose parents were victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, may soon be released by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization as part of a deal with Israel.

Liz Hirsh Naftali, Abigail's great-aunt, spoke to "CBS Mornings" and expressed uncertainty about Abigail's release. However, she remains hopeful that the focus on women and children will result in the return of the toddler, who is the youngest American captive, before her fourth birthday on Friday.

"We have not received any information beyond what is being reported in the press and news," said Liz Hirsh Naftali on Wednesday.

"We are hopeful and praying that she will be among the first groups to be released, although we have not received any confirmation or seen any lists. Our belief is that, due to her young age and the fact that no child should be held hostage or subjected to this situation, she will be released early," she added.

According to a recent agreement, a total of 50 hostages held by Hamas, consisting of women and children who have been captive for 46 days, will be released. In exchange, approximately 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli detention centers will be set free. Additionally, a temporary four-day cease-fire will be implemented in Gaza, with the possibility of extension.

The family of Abigail, a young girl held captive by Hamas, expresses cautious hopefulness regarding the release deal. Noa Naftali, Abigail's cousin, shares their sentiments and mentions that every day since October 7 has felt the same for them. Noa Naftali adds, "Our hearts are with our little cousin."

Noa Naftali reveals that Abigail is currently being held in Gaza along with other residents from the Kfar Aza kibbutz, where Abigail and her family lived. Tragically, Abigail's mother was killed in front of her and her two older siblings. Noa Naftali discloses that Abigail's father, while attempting to protect her, was also shot and killed. Abigail's older siblings, aged 6 and 10, managed to survive the attack by hiding in a closet for 14 hours.

Initially, the family believed that Abigail had not survived the incident. However, they later discovered that she had managed to escape from beneath her father's body and seek refuge with their neighbors. Unfortunately, the neighbors who took her in were also taken hostage, including a mother, a 10-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 4-year-old who attends preschool with Abigail.

"It took a couple of days for the kibbutz to be cleared, for us to understand, and for people to get in. And we learned an eyewitness had actually seen this mother with her three children and Abigail being led out of the kibbutz, out of their neighborhood, and then we did not find out any more information," a spokesperson said. 

They added that the families have not heard much about the hostages since the attack on Oct. 7. 

"We know that they were taken, and the next thing we learned is that they're hostages. We're living in the dark," the spokesperson said. "They are literally in the dark...And we in America, Israeli families, have very little information and are also in the dark." 

If Abigail is indeed among those released, the spokesperson said she will go to stay with her aunt, uncle, and grandparents. Her siblings are already there, the spokesperson said, and the family can provide "the love and support that they need after losing their parents." Abigail's return will also help her siblings heal, the spokesperson said.