Israel Hamas War: On the 14th day of the war, which began in response to the Israeli army’s retaliation after the attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, the extremist organization released two Americans held hostage. These two are mother and daughter. Mother’s name is Judith Raanan and her daughter’s name is Natalie. According to news agency AP, Israel has also confirmed the release of the American mother and daughter from the clutches of Hamas.
According to the BBC report, the mother and daughter were visiting relatives in the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel, near Gaza, when they were abducted by Hamas in the October 7 attacks.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden said this
“This evening, Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were released by the terrorist organization Hamas,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s official X handle posted on Saturday (October 21).
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said that Brigadier General Gal Hirsch and other security forces welcomed them (mother and daughter) at the Gaza Strip border and were headed to a meeting point at a military base in the center of the country. Going, where his family members are waiting for him.
This evening, Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were released by the terrorist organization Hamas.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 20, 2023
US President Joe Biden also expressed happiness over the mother-daughter’s release from the clutches of Hamas and posted on Twitter, “We have secured the release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas during a horrific terrorist attack against Israel. Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal in the last 14 days and I am very happy that they will soon meet their families.
Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel.
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.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 20, 2023
What did Hamas say about leaving the mother and daughter?
According to AP, Hamas said on Friday (20 October) that it was releasing two American citizens, whom it had held hostage in Gaza since the attack on Israel on 7 October. Hamas has It said in a statement that it was releasing the mother and daughter for humanitarian reasons under an agreement with the Qatari government.
What did the US Foreign Minister say?
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he welcomes the release of two hostages, but many more people, including children and the elderly, are still held hostage. He said that the entire US government will work every minute of every day to ensure that the remaining hostages can return home to their loved ones. Blinken also thanked the Qatar government for its work in ensuring the release of the hostages.
Hope raised for release of other hostages
The mother and daughter released by Hamas also have Israeli citizenship. More than 200 people are still held hostage by Hamas. Relatives of other hostages are also hopeful of their release. He welcomed the release of the American mother and daughter, and also appealed to others to be released. One The statement called for the international community and world leaders to do all they can to free all hostages and missing persons.