Two of the 222 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 have been released from captivity and safely transferred to Egypt, Israeli authorities confirmed on Monday evening.
The released hostages, identified as 80-year-old Nurit Cooper and 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz, both residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC facilitated their journey to the Rafah crossing, where they were met by Israeli security officials. However, it is important to note that their husbands, who are also in their 80s and were among the hostages, remain in captivity.
The announcement of the release was initially made by the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Ubaida. This announcement coincided with the entry of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Additionally, reports suggested that Qatar had played a role in securing the release of approximately 50 other hostages who held foreign passports; however the Wall Street Journal reports that the release of those hostages fell apart because Hamas demanded fuel deliveries into Gaza. The two women released in this instance do not possess dual citizenship.
The release of these two hostages represents a glimmer of hope in a situation fraught with tension and uncertainty. The fate of the remaining hostages and the broader dynamics of the conflict in the region continue to be of significant concern to the international community.
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6 Responses
They are probably under insurmountable pressure from AMERICA 🇺🇸 Qatar 🇶🇦 Egypt 🇪🇬 amongst other [probably Putin too], and this maybe only option they have, if they don’t want entire Gaza incinerated or tunnels gassed like Moscow theatre this week 21 years ago
Hope? From Moslem animals? It’s a publicity stunt for Hamas. B”H, however, that these two elderly women who were KIDNAPPED by the Moslem animals are safe. BE’H all the hostages will be released safely and soon.
Hamas are playing a very smart game. Wait and see how these two women will say that were given food regularly as well as their medications and were even checked by a doctor. Some of the other hostages when released will tell you how frightened they were by the Israeli bombing raids and how terrified the ordinary Pals are. The BBC will lap it up and probably revert to their old policy of not describing the Hamas savages as terrorists, but fighters.
Hamas is playing the game to perfection. At this rate of 2 per week the ground invasion will begin in sept. 2025. By which time they will be deemed true humanitarians, and victims of israeli if annihalated. What a farce.
These 2 are shadows of their recent posted pictures. The shorter one seems not to understand and is soo shaky and shaking the hands of her captors.. totally Stockholm syndrome
I’m sure the two elderly women who were kidnapped and the hostages are all safe. This is just a threat tactic by Hamas.