Hamas releases two American hostages, Israeli attacks continue on Gaza

Middle East, News, US October 21, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Two American captives, Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie Raanan, were released by Hamas on October 20, 2023. The two released captives were among around 200 abducted people captured by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel.

The U.S. citizens were handed over to the officials from the Red Cross at the border of Gaza. According to IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, the two released captives were sent to an Israeli military base to be reunited with family.

Originally from Chicago, U.S., the mother and daughter were visiting their relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken hostage on the October 7 attack. The Hamas militants killed more than 1400 Israeli citizens and soldiers during the attack while abducting around 200 civilians.

Israel has since responded by attacking the Gaza Strip, a stronghold of Hamas, and conducting carpet bombing of the region which has resulted in thousands of deaths so far. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed more than 4,100 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

According to Hamas, Raanans were released on humanitarian grounds because the mother was having health issues and needed medical attention. The release was a result of negotiations between Qatar and Hamas.

In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida said: “In response to Qatari efforts, Al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless.”

*^{Palestinians evacuate the wounded following an Israeli aerial bombing on Jabaliya, near Gaza City, on October 11, 2023 (Image Credit: AP)}*

Qatar confirmed the release of the two American hostages and said they will “continue dialogue with Israel and Hamas in the hope of releasing all civilian hostages from every nationality,” the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Majid Al-Ansari said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “overjoyed” that the two U.S. citizens would “soon be reunited with their family,” and called for their privacy. Biden reiterated that his administration has been “working around the clock” to free Americans held hostage by Hamas.

“Jill and I have been holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted-for Americans,” Biden said. “And, as I told those families when I spoke with them last week, we will not stop until we get their loved one home. As President, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world.”

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

A number of foreign nationals were among those captured by Hamas during the attack, including people from the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand. Countries like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are calling for an immediate ceasefire, however, Western leaders have made no indication of calming the situation as they flocking to Israel in recent while the situation keeps escalating.