Two new hostages released

Hamas claimed on Monday to have released two more hostages from Gaza. According to the group, the two released hostages are women who have been released following a mediation effort in which Qatar and Egypt participated. The announcement came on Monday in a message on Telegram from Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas. “We have decided to release them on humanitarian grounds and due to ill health,” the statement said. “Despite this, the enemy refused to take them on Friday,” the statement added. The announcement has not been confirmed by Israel or other states.
     It was in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 7, that Israel was attacked by Hamas. Over 1,500 Israelis were killed. In addition, at least 222 hostages were taken back to Gaza. According to the Israeli authorities, a Danish man is also one of the Hamas hostages. On Friday night, two Americans were released as the first hostages. The two released Friday are Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie. /ritzau/