Terrorists release US hostages, mother and daughter

Oct 20, 2023 8:20 pm | Ticker, Virtual Jerusalem

Israeli and foreign media sources confirm the release of a mother and daughter, apparently American citizens. The release was announced by Hamas, the terror group saying that the two, Judith and Natalie Raanan of Chicago, were were being released for “humanitarian reasons” to the Red Cross. They were expected to be taken to Egypt and then to Israel. Qatar was credited with brokering the release.

There is not confirmation that there was a connection with Israel’s agreement to open a corridor from Egypt to southern Gaza in reponse to an American request. That “humanitarian move” was harshly criticized inside Israel, where anger is growing at the handling of the hostage crisis by the Israeli government, so it may be a quid pro quo to mollify internal dissent at government policy.

Hebrew media is reporting that unnamed Israeli officials have clarified that the Hamas decision to release the two hostages was done unilaterally and that Jerusalem offered nothing in exchange

Israeli officials say that the US and Europeans have been pressing Israel to delay a ground invasion to increase the chances that more hostages will be released.

More than 200 Israelis are reported to be in captivity in Gaza as well as dozens of foreign nationals.

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