Two Americans have reportedly been freed by the terrorist organization Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
According to Fox News, two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, were released “on humanitarian grounds” thanks to Qatari mediation efforts.
The hostages were identified as Judith and Natalie Raanan, who were captured by Hamas from the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel, near Gaza.
“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,” said Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida on Friday.
This comes after the Iran-backed Hamas launched thousands of missiles at Israel and invaded towns along the Gaza border earlier this month, killing at least 700 people. The attack prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war against the terrorist group.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that Americans were among the hostages taken into Gaza by Hamas.
“We have reports that several Americans were killed; we’re working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans and, there again, we’re working to verify those reports,” Blinken said during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
As of Friday, there are 203 Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, 11 of whom are Americans, according to the Israeli military.
President Joe Biden, speaking on Wednesday in Israel, said, “There’s no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages” captured by Hamas.
“To those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially to families of the hostages — you’re not alone. We’re working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas,” Biden continued.
During a separate conference, both Biden and Netanyahu highlighted the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization and discussed their impact on Israeli children.
“The world is looking. Israel has a value set like the United States does and other democracies and they’re looking to see what we’re going to do,” the president told Netanyahu.