Freeing Two Israeli Female Hostages, Hamas: On Humanitarian Grounds and Health Conditions

JAKARTA - The Palestinian militant group Hamas has again freed Israeli hostages, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office praising the role of Egypt and the Red Cross and military (IDF).

The two freed hostages were women, among the 222 hostages Israel said were being held by Hamas in Gaza. This step is said to have prompted the United States to advise Israel to postpone its ground attack on the Gaza Strip.

"We decided to release them on humanitarian and health grounds," said Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida on Telegram, reported by Reuters, October 24.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the release, naming those freed as Nurit Cooper (79) and Yocheved Lifshitz (85). The two were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, near the Gaza border, along with their husbands, who are still being held by Hamas.

This is the third and fourth hostage released by Hamas, after last week they freed Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie who are United States citizens.

"We have to free the hostages and then we can negotiate," said US President Joe Biden when asked about the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Separately, a spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister's office praised the efforts that led to the release of two of its citizens, citing the IDF, Egypt and the Red Cross as war.

"The IDF and security forces have worked hard in recent days on all fronts to realize their release and overcome the many difficulties posed by Hamas," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, quoted by CNN.

The two arrived in Egypt in stable condition, according to the country's news outlet, before being taken to a medical center in Israel, where the family was waiting, PM Netanyahu's office said.

"We thank Egypt for its assistance, and the Red Cross for their important role as life savers," the statement said.

"The Israeli government, the IDF, and all security agencies will continue to operate to the best of their abilities and efforts to find all missing persons and repatriate all abductees," the Prime Minister's office said.