Hamas released two more hostages for “compelling humanitarian” reasons on Monday following negotiations with Qatar and Egypt.
The hostages were identified as Nurit Yitzhak and Yochved Lifshitz, two Israeli citizens who have been released to the Red Cross, sources briefed on the matter told CNBC.
The women, said to be in their 80s, were kidnapped from the Kibbutz Nir Oz, with their husbands still in captivity under Hamas, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The militant group said on its Telegram channel that it was releasing them for “compelling humanitarian” reasons.
Abu Ubaiba, a military spokesman from Al-Qassam Brigades that operates in the West Bank, claimed Hamas was willingly releasing the two women despite Israel’s refusal to stop its airstrikes against the terrorist group.
“We have decided to release them for compelling humanitarian and satisfactory reasons despite the occupation committing more than 8 violations of the procedures that were agreed upon with the mediator brothers that the occupation would adhere to during this day to complete the handover process,” the spokesman said on Telegram.
The release of the duo comes as sources in Gaza say about 50 more hostages with dual citizenships will be released to the Red Cross later today, i24 News reports.
The transfer will allegedly take place in the Khan Yunis area just south of the Gaza Strip, with the hostages’ freedom secured by additional negotiations through Qatar, the outlet reports.
Israel has yet to comment on the new releases after slamming the prospect of Yitzhak and Lifshitz freedom as “lying propaganda” from Hamas to try and delay the Jewish State’s looming invasion of Gaza.
The two women are the latest hostages released by Hamas after the terrorist group freed American mother-and-daughter Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Raanan last week.
