The current crisis in Gaza continues, as Israel seeks the return of hostages taken by Hamas.
Today, Hamas released two American citizens. Judith Ranaan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie. Hamas took around 200 people during its initial attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The release was organized and mediated on behalf of Qatari officials—Qatar is where the Hamas leadership is located.
According to sources, there are still 10 American hostages under Hamas’ control, though the official statement is that they are ‘unaccounted’ for, their status is currently unknown.
We will continue to provide updates as they become available to us, for now, here’s more on the story:
Breaking news 🚨
Hamas releases two American hostages, mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Ranaan, from Gaza after Qatari mediation.
Hamas said they released the two on “humanitarian grounds”. pic.twitter.com/4ggJoEItiH
— Maree Campbell (@Campb37345Maree) October 20, 2023
First image of the two American hostages, Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, released from captivity by Hamas and back on Israeli soil. pic.twitter.com/tW6KGmfgqS
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) October 20, 2023
Fox News provided this statement from a White House spokesperson:
“The President just completed a call with the two Americans released today after being taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel.
He relayed that they will have the full support of the U.S. government as they recover from this terrible ordeal.”
Mario Nawfal relayed this statement from the Al-Qassam Brigades: “In response to Qatari efforts, we released two American detainees (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the allegations of Biden and his fascist administration are false allegations that have no basis in truth.”
🚨BREAKING: HAMAS RELEASES TWO HOSTAGES
“In response to Qatari efforts, we released two American detainees (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the allegations of Biden and his fascist administration are…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 20, 2023
A spokesperson for the IDF told Washington Examiner:
“The Israeli government, IDF and security forces will continue to act in every way to locate the missing and return all the hostages home.
While Hamas presents itself to the world as having returned the hostage women for humanitarian purposes, when actually Hamas is in fact a murderous terrorist organization that right now is holding babies, children, women, and elderly people hostage in the Gaza Strip, and continuing to commit crimes against humanity.”
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