Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “fight to victory” in Gaza and signaled no pause in bombing or preparations for an expected Israeli military invasion of the enclave after terrorist organisation Hamas freed two American hostages.
Hamas, the group that governs Gaza, has released American women Judith Tai Raanan /59/ and her daughter Natalie /17/, who were kidnapped in an attack on the southern part of Israel on October 7.
A photo obtained by Reuters after the release shows the two women surrounded by three Israeli soldiers, as they hold hands with Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the captured and missing.
Uri Raanan, the teenager’s father, said he spoke to his daughter on the phone. “She sounds very, very good, very happy – and she looks good,” he said.
Hamas gunmen invaded Israel and killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped about 200 people. The two American women are the first hostages that both sides have confirmed have been released.
“Two of our abductees are at home. We are not giving up our efforts to return all abducted and missing people. At the same time, we will continue to fight until victory,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued late last night.
Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, said the hostages were released partly “for humanitarian reasons” in response to Qatar’s mediation efforts.
Source: Srna, Reuters
