New Delhi: Hamas on Friday, October 20, released two hostages from over 200 people it has been holding captive since it launched its attack on southern Israel on October 7.
The news of the release of Judith Tai Raanan (59) and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan (17), who hold dual citizenship of the United States and Israel, was confirmed by both Hamas and Israel. US President Joe Biden said he spoke to them over the phone in a post on X (previously Twitter).
I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal.
Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans. pic.twitter.com/oXk6gfrD8M
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 20, 2023
After they walked out of captivity in Gaza, they were reunited with their family members from Chicago “at a military base in the centre of the country (Israel)”, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to Reuters.
According to Israel, 203 people were abducted by Hamas following the October 7 attack. Besides Israelis, citizens of Thailand, Argentina, Germany, France, and Portugal are under Hamas’ captivity.
The Hamas group said it was working with Qatar and Egypt to free its “civilian” hostages, in a sign that they would release more people soon. It also said 50 more captives are held by other armed groups in Gaza, adding that more than 20 were killed by Israeli air strikes without sharing any further details, NDTV reported.
Officials from the US and Britain said they have been in talks with Qatar and Egypt to secure the release of their citizens from hostage.
According to Israel, Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie were abducted from Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel. The mother-daughter duo from Illinois landed in Israel in September to celebrate the Jewish holidays, Natalie’s high school graduation, and the 85th birthday of her grandmother.