American Mother Set Free After 54 Days in Hamas Captivity
Liat Beinin Atzili was among 10 hostages released Wednesday evening.
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Handout
American Liat Beinin, 49, has been freed from Hamas captivity as part of the latest group of hostages to be released from Gaza, a spokesperson for the Hostage Family Forum told The Daily Beast.
Her father, Yehuda Beinin, told NBC News following her release that she appears to be in “pretty good shape”—calling her return home a “relief.” He also said he spoke with President Joe Biden, who spoke personally about his own experience losing a child and even invited him to visit the White House someday.
Biden lauded Beinin’s release and reiterated his determination to secure the release of all hostages still in Gaza.
“Jill and I are deeply gratified that [Beinin] will soon be reunited with her three children and her father, who have been wracked with worry for her safety,” Biden said.
Beinin’s husband, Aviv, however, remains in Hamas custody somewhere in Gaza, the president added.
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Hamas also released Yelena Trupanob, 50, and her 73-year-old mother Irena Tati on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Hostage Family Forum said.
Other hostages released Wednesday include Gali Tarshanksy, 13, Ofir Engel, 17, Amit Shani, 16, Itay Regev, 18, Yarden Roman, 36, Raaya Rotem, 54, Raz Ben-Ami, 57, and Moran Stela Yanai, 40, the Hostage Family Forum told The Daily Beast.
Four Thai hostages are in the group, according to the Red Cross, the Israeli Defense Forces said earlier.
The latest round of rescues comes after a ceasefire was implemented Friday and extended in recent days to allow for additional transfers of hostages back to Israel.
The newly rescued mother-daughter duo, Yelena and Irena, emigrated to Israel from Russia but were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yelena’s son, Sasha, 28, and his girlfriend Sapir Cohen, 29, remain captives. Hamas terrorists killed Yelena’s husband, Vitaly Trupanob last month.
Hamas had previously released footage of Trupanob alongside two other hostages. They delivered a statement, likely under duress, calling for hostages to be exchanged for prisoners.
Hamas said it had released two Russian women at the request of Moscow.
“Al-Qassam Brigades release two Russian detainees in response to a request from the Russian leadership,” the group said on Telegram. It’s not clear if the announcement refers to Trupanob and Tati.
National Security Council coordinator John Kirby has told reporters that the White House remains hopeful that more Americans will be released soon.
Discussions about releasing men in addition to women and children have recently come up, according to a Qatari official.
“Our negotiations regarding women and children take paramount position within the discussions, but obviously we are moving towards civilian men being released,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on CNN.
The spokesperson added that Qatar is “very optimistic” about another truce extension.
Although talks remain underway, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war.
“In recent days I’ve heard a question: Will Israel return to fighting after this stage of returning our hostages is over? My response is an unequivocal yes,” the premier says. “There is no way we won’t return to fighting until the end.”
Families who are waiting for news about their loved ones suspected to be held captive continue to hold out hope.
Hamas announced Wednesday that the Bibas family, which is thought to be held captive in Gaza, is no longer alive following Israeli bombings in Gaza. Israel says it is looking into the claims but could not confirm them. A spokesperson for the country’s military, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, also said Wednesday that Hamas’ statement may be part of the militant group’s “psychological warfare.”
The family believed to be in Gaza includes Shiri, 32, the mother of Ariel, 4, and 10-month-old baby Kfir.
The Bibas family said Wednesday it is waiting for more information or confirmation from official sources.
“Our family has learned of Hamas' latest claims. We are waiting for the information to be confirmed and hopefully refuted by military officials,” the family said in a statement shared with The Daily Beast. “We thank the people of Israel for their warm support, but kindly request privacy during this difficult time.”
Roughly 150 hostages are believed to still be in Gaza, officials said Wednesday.
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