“For humanitarian reasons”
Hamas releases two US hostages
October 20, 2023, 7:25 p.m
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Hamas Islamists kidnap more than 200 people from Israel during their terrorist attack. There their liberation is declared to be the primary goal. Now there is a first ray of hope. Hamas releases two US citizens.
For the first time since Hamas’ major attack on Israel, the armed wing of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization has released two hostages. “In response to the Qatari efforts, the Al-Qassam Brigades released two US citizens (a mother and her daughter) on humanitarian grounds,” Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s ruling terrorist organization, said on Telegram. According to Channel 13 and Kan, Israel has already confirmed the release. The step is based on mediation by Qatar. It is unclear where the Americans are now.
Hamas launched a major attack on Israel on October 7th, killing around 1,400 people and abducting around 200 people to the Gaza Strip. There are also many foreigners among the hostages, including several people with German citizenship.
The Foreign Office speaks of a total of eight cases, although a case can also include several family members. Those affected usually have dual citizenship.
The Israeli army said it believed most of the 200 hostages were alive. She confirmed that Hamas did not spare children and elderly people in its major attack almost two weeks ago. Accordingly, the hostages include more than 20 minors and between ten and 20 people who are over 60 years old.