French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the release of his compatriots: “Extremely happy with this announcement,” he said. All were kidnapped in the kibbutz of Nir Oz. On Monday, the last day of the initially agreed truce, 11 Israeli hostages were released - nine minors and two women - all with dual nationality: three with French citizenship, two with German and six with Argentine. The ceasefire was extended Monday for two more days in a new deal brokered by Qatar that will allow the return of 20 more hostages in exchange for the release of 60 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Their embrace is one of the images that sums up the relief of dozens of Israeli families who have seen their relatives returned after weeks of pressure, both local and international, on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to forge a pact with Hamas agreeing to the release of hostages. “A moment forever etched in my memory,” wrote Maayan Zin, the mother of both girls, in a post on social media accompanied by a video of the reunion with her daughters. Except for one man who holds dual Israeli and Russian citizenship, the other Israelis released are women (22) and children (28). Of this group, 51 are Israelis, in addition to 17 Thais and one Filipino. The two returned home on Sunday and are among the 69 hostages who have been released in the first four days of the truce between the Israeli government and Hamas.

The attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of at least 240 others - including Ela and Dafna - who were forcibly taken to the Gaza Strip.

Eight-year-old Ela and her sister Dafna, 15, were abducted by Hamas on October 7 after witnessing the death of their father, his partner, and her son in the Israeli kibbutz of Nahal Oz.

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