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Hamas released two hostages on Friday evening. Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, said: “Thanks to Qatar’s efforts, the Al-Qassam Brigades have released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) on humanitarian grounds.” The mother is said to have had health problems.
A first photo of the released American hostages on Israeli soil shows the two women next to Israeli Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, the person responsible for the kidnapped and missing people in Jerusalem. Hirsch wears a bulletproof vest and holds one of each woman’s hands. The three are flanked by two Israeli soldiers, whose faces are blurred in the photo.
According to Obaida, one reason for the release is that Hamas wants to prove “to the American people and the world” that the “claims of Biden and his fascist government are false and baseless.” Israeli officials told Israeli media that Hamas’s decision was made unilaterally. Israel has given nothing back.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday evening that the two women were brought to the Israeli border via the Red Cross. From there they are taken to a military base in central Israel, where their relatives await them.
They were in Israel for a relative’s birthday
As “The Times of Israel” reports, the freed hostages are Judith Raanan (59) and her daughter Natalie Raanan (17). Meir Hecht, the family’s rabbi, told the newspaper that the women had been kidnapped by Hamas in Kibbutz Nahal Oz – about 1.5 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. The rabbi also provided photos of the two women.
Judith and Natalie traveled to Israel for a family member’s 85th birthday. They also wanted to enjoy the Jewish holidays there. Natalie is said to have recently graduated from high school. According to her uncle, she was then looking forward to the breakthrough in Israel. The two women regularly live in Evanston, Illinois, outside Chicago. According to the New York Times, Judith spent most of her childhood in Israel. She is a painter and devotes herself to Jewish, religious and Israeli themes.
Qatar played an important role in the release
A spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the release came after “many days of continued communication with all parties.” Talks with Israel and Hamas would also continue – in the hope of securing the “release of all civilian hostages of all nationalities”.
The American president was pleased with the release. “I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their families, who have been tormented by fear,” he said in Washington on Friday. He further thanked the governments of Israel and Qatar “for their partnership.” (ma’am/kes)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
