Hamas releases two American hostages from Gaza after Qatari mediation | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Hamas says hostages freed after diplomatic efforts by Qatar, as Israeli officials confirm release, Israeli media report.
Hamas has released two American hostages from Gaza, the Palestinian group and Israel have confirmed.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, released a mother and her daughter “for humanitarian reasons” after Qatari mediation efforts, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said on Friday.
“In response to Qatari efforts, (Ezzedine) al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons,” Hamas said in a statement posted on Telegram.
The Israeli prime minister’s office confirmed the release of the two captives.
There was no immediate comment from the United States.
The Reuters news agency reported that the two American hostages were with the International Committee of the Red Cross, citing a source familiar with the matter.
Hamas, which took about 200 captives as part of a sweeping attack on southern Israel on October 7, had said earlier in the day that it was releasing the two captives in response to diplomatic efforts by Qatar. The Israeli military said earlier on Friday that it believes that the majority of the captives are still alive.
A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry said the release of the US hostages came after “many days of continuous communication with all parties.”
Qatar hopes dialogue will lead to the “release of all civilian hostages from every nationality,” the spokesperson said.
More than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas attack, according to Israeli officials.
Israel has responded with a relentless bombardment that has killed at least 4,137 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israel has also said that there will be no end to its full blockade of the enclave unless Israeli hostages are freed.
Those held include women, children, the elderly and people from other countries, which have been working for their release, along with some Israeli soldiers.
