Hamas releases two North American references after agreement with Qatari brokers
The two people released were identified as Judith and Natalia Raanan, originally from Chicago, USA. They were visiting family in the kibbutz of Nahal Oz, located in Israel, when they were kidnapped and later taken to Gaza.
Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, photographed after Natalie's recent high school graduation, in an undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht - Photo Reproduction/ Raanan Collection via AP
A Hamas representative announced this Friday (20), the release of two women who were among the 203 hostages kidnapped by the terrorist group. The Israeli government confirmed these releases, which marked the first since the start of the conflict between Hamas and the Israelis. As stated by a spokeswoman for Al-Qassam, the armed wing of the terrorist group, the recently released hostages are a mother and daughter, both United States citizens with Israeli nationality.
Both were kidnapped from kibbutz Nahal Oz, less than 2 kilometers from Gaza, by Hamas militants, on October 7, when members of the terrorist group managed to break through a high-tech border fence. In this day's attack, 1,400 people lost their lives, most of them civilians, and more than 200 individuals were kidnapped and taken hostage to Gaza.
Hostages
The freed hostages were identified as Judith and Natalia Raanan from Chicago. The two victims traveled to Israel with the purpose of spending the holidays and celebrating the birthday of a relative, who turned 85 years old, kibbutz of Nahal Oz, in Israel, according to information from Rabbi Meir Hecht, after the period they were kidnapped, and later taken to Gaza.
Abu Ubaida, Hamas group spokesman, reported that the release of the references was a response to the mediation efforts promoted by Qatar. He claimed that such action took place for humanitarian reasons, and also with the intention of denying the accusations made by President Joe Biden and his administration, as false and unfounded, before the American people and the global community, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Red Crescent (International Red Cross Movement), confirmed that he received the two hostages, while the Israeli government announced that they were taken to an Israeli military base.
Release
The two people were released after negotiations with Qatari government authorities, as reported by the terrorist group. O President of the United States, Joe Biden, issued a statement in which he declared that the US government will offer support to the two recently released hostages in their recovery. The American president also expressed his great satisfaction with the release of the two hostages and their imminent return to their families and assured that he will remain committed to working to guarantee the release of the other hostages.
Negotiations
Qatar stated that it will maintain dialogue with Israel and Hamas, with the aim of ensuring the release of all hostages, ultimately aiming to reduce the current crisis and restore peace. The Israeli government reported that it has information indicating that the majority of people previously held hostage by Hamas are still alive.
Hamas
On Monday, Hamas designated non-Israelis who were kidnapped as “guests” and stated that his release would take place in accordance with permitted local conditions. Hamas has also previously claimed that more than 20 hostages were killed in air strikes, without, however, providing additional details. In contrast, Netanyahu prioritized the elimination of Hamas over the release of the hostages, arguing that the intensification of the attack had become a matter of national survival.
This approach nullifies a long-standing national commitment that ensures “no one is left behind.” In 2011, this commitment led Israel to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for the release of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who would be held for five years.
