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Judith and Natalie Raanan: the two Americans freed from the group of hostages kidnapped by Hamas

Israel pointed out the irony behind the terrorist group alleging it released hostages for "humanitarian reasons" even though it still has more kidnapped people in its possession.

Rehenes secuestrados por el grupo terrorista Hamás.

Hostages kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas / Cordon Press

Published by
Santiago Ospital Alejandro Baños

Two American hostages have been freed from the possession of the terrorist group Hamas. They are Judith Raanan, 59, and her daughter Natalie, 17.

A video first released on pro-Palestinian accounts linked to the terrorist group captures the moment when the two kidnapped women were handed over by armed terrorists to a Red Cross vehicle:

Humanitarian reasons?

According to The Times of Israel, Qatar mediated the negotiation for the release of these two Americans. This information was stated by a spokesperson for the terrorist group, as reported by Fox News:

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.

IDF (Israel Defense Forces) spokesman Daniel Hagari pointed out the irony in Hamas alleging that it had made the decision to release hostages for humanitarian reasons, even though it is still "holding infants, children, women and elderly people hostage in the Gaza Strip, and continuing to commit crimes against humanity."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also skeptical. When asked about the terrorist group's promise to release all the hostages if Israel stopped the air attack, he said, "I would not take anything that Hamas says at face value." He also added that the remaining hostages should be released immediately and unconditionally.

That answer differed from the one President Biden gave while boarding Air Force One on Friday. When asked if Israel should delay the ground incursion into Gaza until more hostages are freed, the president responded "yes." The White House later denied the statement:

The president was far away. He didn't hear the full question. The question sounded like 'Would you like to see more hostages released?' He wasn't commenting on anything else.

"Tonight I'm gonna sleep good"

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," said Natalie's father, Uri Raanan, in statements to the media. "I haven't been sleeping for two weeks, tonight I'm gonna sleep good."

I spoke with my daughter earlier today. She sounds very good, she looks very good. She was very happy. And she's waiting to come home. I'm gonna hug her and kiss her and it's going to be the best day of my life.

Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan were kidnapped while they were at the Nahal Oz kibbutz, according to statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported by Reuters.

The mother and daughter are originally from Chicago. They were in Israel to celebrate the holidays and the 85th birthday of a family member, according to Rabbi Meir Hecht. The Israel Times, which published those statements, also reported that the family hadn't heard from them since Hamas took them hostage.

The campaign to free hostages continues

There are still at least nine citizens with U.S. passports kidnapped by Hamas. Israel reported that more than 200 Israelis have been kidnapped by the jihadist organization. Both countries assured that freeing them is one of their highest priorities and promised to join forces in order to make it happen.

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