On October 7, a mother and daughter from Chicago who were kidnapped by Hamas in an attack on Israel and held hostage in the Gaza Strip were released after negotiations with the militants in Qatar.
The Israeli military identified them as Judith Ra’anan, 60, and her daughter Natalie, 17, who were visiting relatives living in a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip.
The October 7 attack took nearly 200 hostages and killed 1,400 people, and prompted a devastating Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip in response.
President Joe Biden issued a statement on Friday, October 20, saying the US government is working “around the clock” to free US citizens held by Hamas.
They were then taken to an Israeli military base to be reunited with their relatives.
Natalie’s father, Yuri, told The Associated Press that he spoke with his daughter on Friday night.
“I get along well with that person.
“It works really well,” he said.
“It brings tears to my eyes and it feels so good.”
Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida said the hostages were released in response to Qatar’s mediation efforts “for humanitarian reasons and to demonstrate to the American people and the world that the claims of President Joe Biden and his fascist government are false.” .
“There is no basis,” the Associated Press reported.
Biden said.
“Our compatriots have been through a terrible ordeal in the last two weeks and we are delighted that they will soon be able to meet their frightened families.
“As president, I have no higher priority than ensuring the safety of American hostages around the world.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the announcement followed “several days of continuous communication” with all parties.
The release of the hostages is the first since a surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel that looted settlements and killed nearly 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
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