Hamas Releases Two Israeli Women Hostages After Mediations By Qatar & Egypt

Hamas spokesperson said that the captives had been released for “humanitarian reasons and poor health grounds".

On Monday, 23 October, Hamas released two Israeli hostages in Gaza.

(Screenshot of the footage released by Hamas)

Producer: Maaz Hasan
Video Editor: Prajjwal Kumar

On Monday, 23 October, two women held captive in Gaza by Hamas were released as confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Hamas also shared the footage of the release of two elderly Israeli women.

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson of Hamas, said that captives were released following the mediation from Qatar and Egypt. On their Telegram channel, Abu Obeida said, "We decided to release them for humanitarian and poor health grounds."

85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, the free Israeli women, left the territories of Gaza and entered Egypt via the Rafah Border Crossing point.

This is the second release of hostages by Hamas since its cross-border attack on the Israeli territory on 7 October. On Friday, 20 October, two American nationals Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie, were released following mediation by Qatar.

American nationals Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were released by Hamas on 20 October.

(Screenshot of the footage released by Hamas)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza. As per Israel, over 200 people have been held captive by Hamas after its attack on Israel.

Since 7 October, Israel has pounded Gaza with its Air Force which has killed over 5,100 Palestinians in Gaza, as per the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli Defence Forces are also preparing for "unrelenting attacks" to dismantle Hamas even as former US President Barack Obama warned that "any Israeli military strategy that ignores human costs could ultimately backfire".