Gaza’s ruler Hamas said Friday that its armed wing has released two American hostages, among about 200 prisoners kidnapped in attacks by the militant group in Israel on October 7.
“In response to Qatar’s efforts, the (Ezzedine) al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons,” Hamas said in a statement on Telegram.
The Islamist group did not provide details on how and when the hostages were released.
The Israeli military said earlier Friday that most of those abducted to Gaza are still alive.
“The majority of hostages are still alive. Dead bodies have also been taken to the Gaza Strip,” an army statement said.
The military said more than 20 hostages were minors, while between 10 and 20 people were over 60 years old.
Between 100 and 200 people are also considered missing since the Hamas attacks, the military added.
On October 7, the Palestinian militant group carried out a deadly attack on Israel, the worst in the country’s 75-year history, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials.
Israel has responded with a brutal bombardment that has killed at least 4,137 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry.
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