Two American citizens held hostage in Gaza by Hamas forces were released on Friday afternoon, according to a statement from the Palestinian militant group. Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and daughter from Illinois, were among as many as 20 American hostages taken during the Hamas invasion of Israel earlier this month.
The release of the two women was announced by Abu Obaida, spokesman for Hamas‘ Al-Qassam Brigades, on Telegram:
In response to Qatari efforts, we released two American detainees (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the allegations of Biden and his fascist administration are false allegations that have no basis in truth.
According to statements from family members, the two residents of Evanston, Illinois had been visiting Israel to “celebrate a relative’s 85th birthday and the Jewish holiday season.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Judith and Natalie have been released and are currently en route to an Israeli airbase for transport home. “Two of the hostages, mother and daughter Yehudit Tai and Natali Shoshana Raanan were released by the Hamas terror organization and were transferred to the Israeli border via the Red Cross,” read an X post from the ministry.
Two of the hostages, mother and daughter Yehudit Tai and Natali Shoshana Raanan were released by the Hamas terror organization and were transferred to the Israeli border via the Red Cross.
They are on their way to an army base in central Israel were their families are anxiously… pic.twitter.com/S4WZKUlE2h
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 20, 2023
The circumstances that led to the release of Judith and Natalie Raanan have not yet been made public.
At least 200 hostages, including an estimated 20 Americans, are still awaiting rescue within Hamas-controlled Gaza. American and Israeli authorities have pledged to secure the release of all hostages even as the conflict continues.
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