On the third day of a carefully orchestrated cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, an American citizen named Abigail Edan was among the hostages released. Abigail, who just turned 4 years old, was the youngest American citizen taken by Hamas. She was held hostage for 50 days inside Gaza but is now safely back in Israel. This weekend, we witnessed many joyful reunions as children were returned to their families.
The cease-fire has resulted in the release of a total of 58 hostages so far, but approximately 180 still remain in Gaza, including as many as nine more Americans. President Biden has expressed his commitment to working towards extending the cease-fire and ensuring the safe return of all remaining hostages.
As the negotiations continue, the Red Cross will be conducting visits to any hostages left in Gaza. This is an important step in ensuring their well-being and safety.
In a national address, President Biden expressed his hope for the release of more Americans and his desire to extend the temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. He has been in close contact with the Edan family and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the need to continue working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones.
In other news, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and injured while visiting their families in Vermont. The authorities are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. The search for the shooter is ongoing.
Today is expected to be the biggest air travel day ever, with nearly 3 million people taking to the skies. The airports have been preparing for this influx of travelers, and so far, the operations have been going smoothly. Despite some delays and cancellations due to winter weather in certain regions, the travel industry has successfully managed the holiday travel season.
In a recent NBC News exclusive, we gained insight into the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in busting a massive fentanyl trafficking ring. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Through social media posts and investigative work, the DEA was able to charge 25 individuals involved in the trafficking network. This operation has potentially saved countless lives.
Lastly, we are on the cusp of Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year. Retailers are offering deep discounts to entice shoppers, with electronics and apparel being the categories with the steepest discounts. This year, more people than ever are expected to shop online, and retailers are working hard to meet the demand and ensure timely deliveries.
Stay tuned for more updates on these stories and more. Thank you for watching NBC Nightly News.