Hamas released two American hostages, Biden expressed Joy
In a big development on October 20, Friday, Hamas released two American hostages held in Gaza.
These two hostages are Judith Raanam and her teenage daughter Natalie. It was the first release undertaken by Hamas after it took 203 hostages during the attack of October 7.
These two freed hostages were handed to red cross which ultimately handed them to Israel. According to media reports, Hamas undertook this act for Humanitarian reasons.
Gal Hirsch, coordinator of hostages and missing persons met the two freed hostages at the border from where they were taken to a military base where they will reunite with their families.
Hamas wants image correction
This move by Hamas in the name of "Humanitarian reasons" sounds like a PR move to people around the world as Hamas has been facing strong criticism from the world leaders of important countries such as USA. Joe Biden compared Hamas with ISIS and Olaf Scholz compared Hamas with Nazi.
Daniel Hagari, spokesperson of Israel Defense Forces also expressed his disagreement with the reason given by Hamas by saying “Hamas is presenting itself to the world at this hour as one that releases hostages for humanitarian reasons, but in reality, we are talking about a murderous terror group, which at this hour is holding babies, children, women, and elderly captive”.
Hagari also stressed that on one side, Israel is constantly working on the release of other hostages and on the other side planning to take the next step in the war by increasing ground offense. Hagari also mentioned that the war is expected to go on for many more weeks which even PM Netanyahu mentioned while giving statement after meeting with Rishi Sunak.
Qatar in the picture
According to media reports, Qatar mediated and negotiated the release of Hostages by Hamas.
President of United States also appreciated the efforts by Qatar by saying that "I thank the government of Qatar and the government of Israel for their partnership in this work."
President Biden Overjoyed by the news
President Biden is overjoyed by the news of release of two hostages held by Hamas and have said in a official statement that US will provide every assonance and help needed by these two individuals. He also stressed that passings 14 days being held as hostage is terrible. and therefore, these individual US citizens will have all the help they need to recover provide by Government.
He also said that US has been constantly making efforts to free hostages. He said "I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear. And, as I told those families when I spoke with them last week—we will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world."
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