WASHINGTON — Hamas has released two elderly Israeli women held hostage in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government confirmed on Monday, as international efforts continue to free the more than 200 people abducted by the Palestinian militant group.
The office of the Israeli prime minister identified the two released hostages as Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85. The pair were abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz, which was among the communities hit the hardest by Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel that left more than 1,400 dead. Their husbands were kidnapped along with them and remain in captivity.
The Israeli statement said the two women had been handed over to the Israeli Defense Forces and were en route to a medical center in Israel. It thanked Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross “for their important role as lifesavers.”
“The IDF and the security forces have worked hard in the last few days in all channels to bring about their release and to overcome the many difficulties set by Hamas,” the statement said.
