Biden meets freed 4-yr-old American hostage

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden met on Wednesday with Abigail Edan, the four-year-old American girl who was held hostage in Gaza for several weeks at the start of the war.

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the White House meeting with Abigail and her family was “a reminder of the work still to do” to win the release of dozens of people who were taken captive by Hamas in an October 7 attack on Israel and are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza.

Abigail, who has dual Israeli-US citizenship, was taken hostage after her parents were killed in the attack and was released nearly seven weeks later. She was the first US hostage freed by Hamas as part of a deal with Israel to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners early in the war. Abigail turned four during her time in captivity.

“It was also a reminder in getting to see her that there are still Americans and others being held hostage by Hamas,” said Sullivan, who attended Biden’s meeting with the girl and her family. “And we are working day in, day out to ensure all of them also are able to get safely home to their loved ones. “

Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

Biden spoke to the girl soon after her release in November.

At Emerson College in Boston, 108 people were arrested at an encampment overnight and four police officers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, Boston police said. Those arrested were expected to appear Thursday in Boston Municipal Court.

Another 93 people were arrested Wednesday night during a protest at the University of Southern California, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

There were no reports of injuries.