Hamas releases two US hostages 'for humanitarian reasons'

Hamas announced the release of two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, “for humanitarian reasons.”

The spokesman for the movement’s military wing, Abu Ubaida, explained in a statement that the release of the two detainees came in response to Qatari mediation efforts.

The movement stated that its release of the two hostages was to broadcast to the American people and the world that the American administration’s claims about Hamas were false.

Media reported that the two hostages were Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter, Natalie Raanan, who were from Chicago and were visiting Israel to celebrate the 85th birthday of one of their relatives and the Jewish holiday season.