Two Elderly Gaza Hostages Released by Hamas Kidnappers for ‘Humanitarian and Medical’ Reasons
Earlier reports out of Israel suggested that a much larger group of hostages, as many as 50 dual nationals, were due to be released.
Updated 15:30 EDT.
Hamas terrorists holding at least 222 hostages kidnapped on October 7 and taken to Gaza released two of those prisoners late Monday Israel time, both elderly women, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
According to Israeli press reports, the two women were identified as Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, both of whom were kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel. Hamas said the pair were released for “humanitarian and medical reasons.” Both women’s husbands remain in captivity.
Earlier reports out of Israel suggested that a much larger group of hostages, as many as 50 dual nationals, were due to be released. i24News, an Israeli television news channel, cited sources at Gaza for its report. Citizens of several countries besides Israel are among the 220 hostages being held, including those from the United States, Great Britain, France and others.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby refused to comment on the reports when asked during a White House briefing Monday.
I24News reported that the hostages — many, if not all of them, women and children — will be turned over to Red Cross officials in the southern reaches of the Gaza strip near the Egyptian border. The network says because of the negotiations, there have been no Israeli air strikes in the area for several hours.
Israel has been holding off its ground invasion for days now, reportedly at the behest of American officials who have been pressing for the release. The Gulf state of Qatar, a supporter of Hamas, is said to be in the middle of the negotiations and successfully secured the release of two American hostages, Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie Raanan, late last week.
Many Israelis welcomed the potential of any hostages being released, but expressed dismay that hostages of other nationalities are being treated any differently than those with exclusively Israeli citizenship. The editor of the Jerusalem Post, Avi Mayer, said on Twitter that the deal — if true — is obviously good news, but offered a caveat:
“By releasing foreign nationals, Hamas is trying to drive a wedge between Israel and its allies, manipulate world opinion, and decrease international pressure,” he said. “Every single hostage — Israeli and foreign — must be freed immediately.”
