A Haitian gang has released six children and seven women who were among more than 50 people kidnapped during a deadly attack in Kenscoff, a community near the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to UNICEF.

The 13 hostages were freed after several days in captivity. UNICEF said the children included three under the age of 2, a 7-year-old and two teenage girls. Community leaders worked with UNICEF to help secure their release. It remains unclear whether those freed required medical treatment or whether other hostages are still being held.

The mass kidnapping followed a violent gang attack on Kenscoff that left at least 47 people dead. The community, located in the hills above Port-au-Prince, had previously been considered a relatively peaceful farming area.

A gang leader known as Izo 2 had reportedly threatened to kill the hostages if Haitian security forces killed members of his group during operations in the area. The armed group operates in coordination with other powerful gang leaders in Haiti.

The release came as the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting over the escalating violence in Haiti. U.N. officials and diplomats called for stronger international support for Haitian security forces and the rapid deployment of a new gang-suppression force.

The Kenscoff attack also forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, according to U.N. humanitarian officials. Haiti is facing a wider displacement crisis, with nearly 1.5 million people internally displaced.

UNICEF said the release of the children and women provided a rare moment of hope but warned that children across Haiti remain exposed to killings, abductions and other forms of violence. The agency called on armed groups to stop attacks against children and release anyone still being held.

Sources: Associated Press report · UNICEF statement