6 months ago

Two Hostages Released From Gaza

Israeli officials have confirmed that Hamas terrorist organization released two more Israeli hostages, an 80-year-old woman and an 85-year-old woman, of the 222 people who were kidnapped during the massacre on October 7 • Full Article

The terrorist organization claimed that the release was brokered through the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. According to the report, the two were released into Egypt and are in the hands of the Red Cross. Their families are on their way to meet them.

The released hostages were identified as Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz. They were kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Nahal Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Both women do not have dual citizenship. Their husbands remain in Hamas’ clutches.

Oded Lifshitz, Yocheved’s husband, is a veteran left-wing journalist. Their grandson, Daniel, said upon hearing the news of his grandmother’s release: “We are happy and excited about the release of my grandmother and Nurit We hope she is in good condition. We will go to see her. She crossed the Rafah crossing to the Egyptian side. Very soon we will see her and be united with her. We hope this is only a prelude to the release of all the abductees. The first thing I will tell her is that I love her.”

Gal Hirsch, who is in charge of the issue of the abductees and missing on behalf of the Prime Minister, said, “The IDF and the security forces have worked hard in the last few days in all channels to bring about their release and to overcome the many difficulties that Hamas has piled up. After being handed over to IDF troops, they are making their way at this time to a medical center in Israel that was organized and prepared especially to receive them. There, their family members will be waiting for them.”

“Amiram, the 85-year-old husband of Cooper, and Oded, the 83-year-old husband of Lifshitz, who were abducted together with them, are still being held by the brutal terrorist organization along with the other hostages, and we will continue to work in every way to get them back,” he added.

“We thank Egypt for the assistance, and the Red Cross for their important role as life-savers. The Israeli government, the IDF and the entire defense establishment will continue to act with the best of their abilities and efforts in order to locate all of the missing and return all of the hostages home,” said Hirsch.

Hamas previously released two hostages with American citizenship on Friday.

Earlier this evening, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari commented on the delay of the IDF’s ground entry into the Gaza Strip and said that the delay is not due to a lack of preparedness on the part of the military.

“We are ready and are increasing our readiness. This is the role of the army, to be ready, and there are tactical, operative, and strategic considerations here as well,” Hagari stressed.

He added, “We are looking at the entire Middle East and it is good that there are serious discussions on the issue. We will continue these discussions and update those who need to be updated. Yes, we are ready. There is a set of considerations and there is a political level.”

When asked about the publications related to the potential release of Hamas abductees who possess dual passports, he replied, “We conduct civil, operational intelligence efforts around the clock. We have only consideration: the pictures, the faces, the children, the parents, and the elderly who were torn from their families and taken to Gaza.”

“We don’t care who carries this or that passport. What race, gender, or religion he is from. What concerns us is the return of the abductees, and we will do whatever it takes to make that happen. I suggest you listen to our reports. There will be all kinds of rumors, We will report the truth to the public,” clarified Hagari.

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