Breaking: Anticipation Grows as 3 Americans Poised for Release in Initial Hostage Freedom from Israel-Gaza Tensions – Live Updates

Since the Islamist organization Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Israel has responded with a bombing campaign and the entire closure of the adjacent Gaza Strip, bringing the area to the brink of war.

On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, infiltrating the nation by air, sea, and land, raising concerns of a larger confrontation and thousands of deaths on both sides of the Israel-Gaza border.

According to the Israeli prime minister’s office, over 1,400 people have been murdered and 6,900 have been injured in Israel. At least 32 of the victims were Americans. In addition, Israeli officials claim that 239 individuals are being held captive in Gaza. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ten Americans are still missing; “some significant number” of them are hostages. According to Israeli statistics, 357 IDF troops have been killed since Oct. 7, with 39 killed since the ground battle began.

According to Israel, the conflict has already entered its second stage and has lasted one month.

According to Israeli statistics, at least 1,200 people have been murdered and 6,900 have been injured throughout Israel since October 7. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, at least 14,128 people have been killed and 33,000 have been wounded in the adjacent Gaza Strip.

Aid workers and authorities are concerned that Israel’s order to evacuate the northern section of Gaza would lead to a humanitarian crisis, as power and other supplies have been shut off in preparation for what looks to be an imminent ground attack.

Humanitarian organizations have asked Israel to halt the evacuation and accede to a cease-fire, even as the government has reaffirmed the right to self-defense, which the US supports.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Tuesday night congratulating Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for their “critical leadership and partnership” in facilitating a settlement between Hamas and Israel about captive release.

Biden also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his commitment to the temporary halt, which would allow the arrangement to be carried out and “bring home additional American hostages.” He said that he “will not stop until they are all released.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “pleased and relieved” to be “close” to witnessing the release of the first 50 hostages out of 240.

Schumer stated that he will continue to advocate for the release of the other detainees, calling the break in fighting a “positive development” that will allow help to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

As president, Biden stated that there is “no higher priority than ensuring the safety of Americans held hostage around the world.”

According to a senior administration official, three Americans are anticipated to be among the first batch of captives freed as part of an agreement struck by Hamas, Israel, Qatar, and the United States.

They include 3-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, who was orphaned in the Oct. 7 bombing and celebrates her birthday on Friday, according to the official.

The agreement calls for the release of 50 hostages, including women and children, over the course of several days.

Officials will not go into specifics on the number of more Americans thought to be taken captive, simply stating that there are ten Americans who have gone missing.

The Israeli Cabinet has authorized a plan that would allow for the release of at least 50 hostages during a four-day cease-fire, Israel’s Prime Minister said early Wednesday morning. Israel will also free 150 Palestinian inmates as part of this agreement.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the “Israeli government has approved the outline for the first phase” of returning captives home, with at least 50 freed during the four-day cease-fire.

According to Netanyahu, the Israeli government, the IDF, and Israeli security forces will continue to fight the battle for the release of all captives, the annihilation of Hamas, and the eradication of Gaza as a danger to Israel.

Sources previously told ABC News that 42 captives would be released.

A short time later, Hamas issued its own statement early Wednesday morning local time, echoing some of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements.

Hamas reported a four-day cease-fire via Telegram, along with the release of 50 women and children held prisoner.

In response, Hamas claimed that Israel promised to free 150 Palestinian women and children. Hamas stated that the freed youngsters will be under the age of 19.

According to a US official involved with the discussions, the US expects Abigail Edan, an orphaned 3-year-old Israeli-American seized by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, to be among the hostages freed as part of any initial compromise between Israel and Hamas. However, the Biden administration has not received any convincing assurance that she or any of the missing Americans will be released as part of the agreement, according to the official.

The official stated that there are several serious worries about the captives’ escape from Gaza and that getting the hostages out of the enclave as soon as possible would be important for their safety and to permit further discussions.

While American negotiators are currently focused on securing an initial deal rather than subsequent swaps that could occur in exchange for a longer pause, Hamas is expected to provide information about the conditions of hostages who will remain in custody, which could be critical in shaping the strategy going forward, according to the official.