Hamas releases two American hostages from Gaza after Qatari mediation.

Delhi: Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan, two American captives who were taken during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, have been freed.

They are the first hostages to be released following a surprise attack by Palestinian militant fighters on October 7 that claimed at least 1,400 lives and kidnapped approximately 200 more.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, freed the hostages “for humanitarian reasons” after Qatari mediation efforts, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said on Friday. The Israeli prime minister’s office confirmed that Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan had been released and were in the country.

US President Joe Biden in a statement thanked Qatar and Israel for their partnership in securing the pair’s release.