Hamas released two Israeli hostages on Monday after capturing hundreds of civilians during attacks that began Oct. 7, according to the Red Cross.
Hamas took over 200 hostages as part of a mass terrorist attack against Israel that has killed over 1,400 Israelis since Oct. 7. Hamas released more hostages, reportedly two Israeli women, into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, after previously releasing two American hostages on Friday, according to officials with knowledge on the matter who spoke to CNN. (RELATED: Family Of American Hostages Released By Hamas Speak Out)
The Red Cross confirmed the release of two hostages.
The hostages, Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz, have not yet arrived back in Israel, according to CNN and NBC News.
Just 45 minutes from Kibbutz Beeri where this was filmed, there’s a terrified and lonely boy who turned nine today.
Ohad and his mother were kidnapped from southern Israel by Hamas terrorists and are being held hostage in Gaza.
We hope somehow, that our birthday wishes and… pic.twitter.com/IHUTTJr3oK
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 23, 2023
Hamas said they released the two on “humanitarian and poor health grounds” and claimed that “the enemy refused to receive them last Friday,” according to a statement from the terror organization. The Biden administration has been working with Qatar, which is facilitating negotiations with Hamas, to release as many hostages as possible, The New York Times reported.
Two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, were released by Hamas on Friday. Hamas claimed it was for “humanitarian purposes” and to demonstrate that statements “made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless.”
“There are still 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict. We know that some of them are being held hostage by Hamas, along with an estimated 200 other hostages held in Gaza,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday. “Every single one of them should be released.”
Israel is carrying out a counteroffensive operation against Hamas and has launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since the initial Oct. 7 attacks. The IDF is likely planning a ground invasion in Gaza to root Hamas out completely and try and save the remaining hostages.
The Red Cross directed the DCNF to its public statement.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.