Two American-Israeli hostages, Judith and Natalie Raanan, who were held by Hamas since Saturday, October 7, have been handed over to the Red Cross, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed on Friday.
They are “on their way out,” the source said. They are being released on “humanitarian grounds” because the mother is in poor health.
It is unclear whether they will be released from Gaza into Egypt or into Israel.
Natalie, 17, just graduated from high school, according to her aunt Saray Cohen. She was studying Torah in Israel. Judith is an artist and was working in several hospitals in the Chicago area. They were in Israel together to celebrate the 85th birthday of Judith’s mother.
The Red Cross confirmed their release, Israeli media report. Hamas put out a statement on its Telegram channel.
“In response to Qatari efforts, Al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless,” Hamas wrote.
More than 200 still in captivity
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters responded to the announcement by the reminding the world that the Raanan’s are just two of the more than 200 hostages being held by Hamas.
“The continued holding of hostages is a war crime,” a statement by the headquarters said. “Many leaders in Arab states have tremendous influence over its leaders and must act to immediately release all the hostages and missing held in Gaza. We call on world leaders and the international community to exert their full power in order to act for the release of all the hostages and missing.”
Families approach Red Cross in Geneva
On Friday morning, several families of those taken hostage traveled to Geneva to lobby for their loved ones’ release. They met with Mirjana Spoljaric, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Red Cross had offered to visit and help the hostages in any way and work towards their release.
Reuters contributed to this report.