Israel Announces Release of Two American Hostages Held by Hamas: A Mother and Daughter Safely Returned

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According to Israeli authorities, Hamas has liberated an American woman, Judith Raanan, and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, who had been abducted and held captive in the Gaza Strip. This marks a notable development as these individuals were among approximately 200 hostages seized by the militant organization during its incursion into Israel on October 7.

The Israeli military spokesperson disclosed that both individuals have been safely transferred out of Gaza and are now under Israeli military custody. Hamas stated that the duo was released on humanitarian grounds, pursuant to an arrangement with the government of Qatar.

The announcement of their release coincides with mounting speculation that Israel is preparing for a ground offensive targeting Hamas militants in control of Gaza. Israeli officials, however, clarified on Friday that their military engagement will not result in a prolonged occupation of the densely populated territory, which is home to around 2.3 million people.

While Israeli forces continue airstrikes over Gaza, efforts are underway to secure aid from Egypt for beleaguered families and medical facilities. Concurrent military conflict with militants in adjacent Lebanon has escalated, forcing the evacuation of border towns and heightening concerns over a broader regional conflict.

The Raanan family was visiting Israel from their residence in suburban Chicago for the observance of Jewish holidays. They were present in the Nahal Oz kibbutz, close to Gaza, when Hamas and other militant factions attacked southern Israeli towns on October 7, leaving hundreds dead and taking 203 hostages. Until their release, there had been no communication from Judith and Natalie Raanan, said Ben Raanan, Natalie’s brother.

President Joe Biden of the United States has personally communicated with the liberated hostages and their family members. The International Committee of the Red Cross, responsible for transporting the Americans from Gaza to Israel, described their release as a glimmer of hope.

Families of other captives have greeted this news with relief, while urging the release of additional hostages. In a statement, Hamas expressed its commitment to ongoing mediation efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and other countries to resolve the hostage situation subject to prevailing security conditions.

Qatar’s government has indicated that it will sustain dialogue with both Israel and Hamas to secure the release of all hostages, aiming to alleviate the current crisis and reestablish peace.

Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to recovering hostages and missing persons, stating, “We continue our war against Hamas and are prepared for the next phase.”

With the anticipation of an Israeli ground operation, casualties are expected to escalate substantially on both sides. The conflict thus far has resulted in the death of more than 1,400 people in Israel, predominantly civilians, and over 4,100 deaths in Gaza, as reported by the Health Ministry operated by Hamas.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant outlined a three-phase strategy that suggests Israel does not plan to re-occupy Gaza. It entails an initial phase of airstrikes and a possible ground assault to eliminate Hamas, followed by lower-intensity operations to tackle residual resistance, and the eventual establishment of a new security framework in Gaza.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, compounded by Israel’s halt in the entry of essential supplies, including fuel, food, water, and medical equipment. Despite a declared agreement to permit aid from Egypt, the border remains sealed as repair work continues on the Rafah crossing, damaged during Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli and Lebanese communities near the conflict zones have been evacuated, further intensifying the crisis. Hezbollah in Lebanon, backed by Iran and armed with long-range rockets, has engaged in sporadic firefights with Israeli forces and has indicated potential involvement in the war if Israel attempts to dismantle Hamas.

The crisis has also witnessed increased rocket attacks from Palestinian militants, amounting to over 6,900 since October 7, and surging tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, resulting in numerous casualties. On Friday, two Palestinian teenagers were reported dead during confrontations in the West Bank, adding to an existing death toll of more than 80 Palestinians over the past two weeks.

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Contributors to this report include journalists from Jerusalem and Baghdad, with additional insights from Cairo, Washington, and el-Arish, Egypt.

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• Israel-Hamas Conflict Overview
• American Foreign Policy in the Middle East
• International Committee of the Red Cross Activities
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
• Role of Qatar in Middle East Mediation