Hamas releases two US hostages held in Gaza after Qatari mediation
The US and Israeli governments confirmed that Hamas released an American mother and daughter who were kidnapped during the group's Oct. 7 attacks.
WASHINGTON — Hamas has released two US citizens held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the militant group’s assault on Israel nearly two weeks ago, the US and Israeli governments said Friday.
“Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel on October 7,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
“Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said.
The Israeli prime minister's office identified the two Americans as Judith Tai Raanan, 59, and Natalie Shoshana Raanan, 17. The mother and daughter are from Evanston, Ill., and were visiting family in Israel at the time of their abduction from a kibbutz in the country's south.
