One of the 12 Israeli hostages who were freed on Wednesday by Hamas is Liat Beinin-Atzili, 49, who also holds a US citizenship.
Liat and her husband Aviv were kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. While Liat was freed on Wednesday, Aviv remains in Hamas captivity.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the release of Beinin-Atzili and made a brief statement to reporters.
“Liat Beinin is safe in Egypt. She has crossed the border. I talked with her mother and father. They're very appreciative and things are moving well. She'll soon be home with her three children. That's all I have to say for right now,” said Biden.
Beinin-Atzili becomes the second dual US-Israeli citizen to be freed by Hamas. Earlier this week, four-year-old Avigail Idan, whose parents were both murdered in the Hamas massacre on October 7, was released.
The White House has said three Americans were expected to be among the 50 hostages Hamas would release over the course of the truce. After the releases of Idan and Beinin-Atzili, one more woman is still held captive by Hamas.
Earlier this week, a senior Biden administration official said the White House does not believe Hamas purposefully held back American hostages.
The official would not elaborate on how the administration came to that belief.
Biden has stressed his commitment to bringing back all the American hostages being held by Hamas.