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Via Arutz Sheva, Fox News

Hamas claimed on Friday evening it had freed two of the hostages it captured during its deadly terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, citing “humanitarian reasons”.

The two have been identified as Judith Raanan, 59, and Natalie Raanan, 18, a mother and her daughter who are dual Israeli and US nationals.

The two are residents of Chicago and had been visiting family in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on the day of the attack.

Israeli sources confirmed that the two had been handed over to the Red Cross and would be transferred to Egypt. Their families have been notified.

A source told CNN that the two are being released on “humanitarian grounds” because the mother is in poor health.

Fox News has independently confirmed that two American nationals held captive by Hamas have been released.

The release of the two is the result of negotiations between Qatar and Hamas which started after Hamas abducted around 200 people from Israel during its October 7 attack.

President Biden, speaking in Israel Wednesday, said, “There’s no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages” captured by Hamas.

“To those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially to families of the hostages – You’re not alone. We’re working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas,” Biden said.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum welcomed the return of the two hostages, saying, “Continuing the holding of the hostages is a war crime. Hundreds of families are expecting assistance from the leaders of Arab countries after the actions of Hamas shocked the entire world.”

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