an American woman and her daughter held hostage in Gaza were released by the Palestinian Islamist movement

This is the first hostage release confirmed by both parties. Two hostages, a 59-year-old American woman and her 18-year-old daughter, kidnapped during the Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, were released on Friday October 20, the Radio France correspondent in Jerusalem learned from the International Committee of the Red Crossconfirming Hamas’ announcement a little earlier. The two hostages arrived in Israel, the Israeli government confirmed in the evening.

The military spokesperson for the Islamist movement said in a statement that the two hostages had been released “for humanitarian reasons, following mediation by Qatar”. LThe Israeli government then indicated that these two Americans were heading “towards a meeting point, in a military base in the center of the country, where their family members are waiting for them”.

Kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz

The two women were kidnapped on October 7 while visiting the kibbutz (collectivist agricultural village) Nahal Oz.

Joe Biden said to himself “at the height of joy” after this release. “Our compatriots have experienced a terrible ordeal over the last fourteen days and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their families”, he said in a press release. The American president thanks Qatar and Israel for their “partnership” in the operation which led to the release.

“To obtain the release of two American hostages, Qatar played a decisive role. I want to salute its mobilization”, reacted on the social network French President Emmanuel Macron.

Some 200 Israeli, foreign or binational hostages were kidnapped in Israel and taken to Gaza by Hamas fighters. The latter said Friday that he was working “with all the mediators involved to implement the movement’s decision to close the civilian (hostage) file when security circumstances permit”.