Hamas Releases 2 Israeli Hostages, Days After It Released 2 Americans

Hamas on Monday announced freed two Israeli hostages who were abducted during the October 7 cross-border assault. The Palestinian Islamist group said the two elderly women hostages were released for "humanitarian reasons".

"We decided to release them for humanitarian and poor health grounds ... Despite that, the enemy refused to receive them last Friday," a Hamas statement said.

Local media identified the released hostages as Yocheved Lifshitz (85) and Nurit Cooper (79). The women and their husbands were taken hostage from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz near the Gaza border. Their husbands were not released.

However, there was no formal announcement from the Israeli side.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported its instrumental role in ensuring the hostages' release, stating that they had been safely transported out of Gaza on the same evening. The ICRC emphasized their status as a neutral intermediary, underscoring their readiness to facilitate any potential future releases.