Sudden Hamas statement. Terrorists has released two prisoners
The spokesman for the military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, said that the group has released two American prisoners for humanitarian reasons. "In response to Qatar's efforts, Al-Qassam Brigades have freed two American citizens, a mother and her daughter," the terrorists conveyed. As reported by the portal ynet.com, sources in Israel confirm that they received information about Hamas' plans. The hostages were to be handed over to the Red Crescent workers.
7:06 AM EDT, October 21, 2023
"In response to Qatar's efforts, the al-Kassam Brigades have released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons and to prove to the American people and the world that Biden's and his fascist administration's claims are false and baseless," the terrorists conveyed in a propaganda statement.
Unilateral exchange
"Israeli officials have confirmed that Hamas intends to release two hostages and they said they will likely be transported to Egypt," reports Israeli website ynet.com. The same website reported that the hostages were handed over to the Red Crescent workers. A source with knowledge of the hostages told Sky News that they are about 60 and 18 years old, respectively.
"Hebrew media quote Israeli officials who explain that the decision of Hamas to release a pair of hostages was taken unilaterally and that Jerusalem did not offer anything in return" - writes The Times of Israel.
As reported by SkyNews, on Monday, the Israeli army confirmed that the number of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip reached 199. The Hamas leadership stated that "the number of prisoners ranges from 200 to 250, and al-Kassam holds 200 prisoners". Hamas also stated that 22 hostages have lost their lives as a result of Israeli bombings.
Hamas is holding nearly 200 prisoners
- We have informed the families of 199 hostages that their loved ones are being held in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas; many of the abducted are children, women, and elderly people - announced at the start of the week Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, one of the spokespersons for the Israeli army.
- We have some information regarding the whereabouts of these people in the Gaza Strip. I can assure you that we will not carry out any attacks that could threaten their safety, stated Hagari, quoted by the Times of Israel.
On Sunday, Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Hamas to release all hostages taken from Israel. Qatari diplomats, quoted by Israeli media, informed that the authorities in Doha have made efforts to persuade Hamas leaders to at least release women, children, and the elderly from captivity.
Hamas reportedly stated that it is ready to do so in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinians currently in Israeli prisons. Tel Aviv did not accept this proposal - reported Times of Israel, citing diplomats from Qatar.
