Hamas terrorists with the two captives released
Hamas On Monday evening released two elderly women held hostage in Gaza since October 7 when the terror group launched its murderous attack on the communities along the Gaza border. The women were identified as Yocheved Lifshitz, 85 and Nurit Cooper, 80 both residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their husbands remained in captivity. Israeli officials said they were not party to negotiations.
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The women were delivered to the Red Cross and transferred across the Gaza border to Egypt and from there to Israel. An Egyptian doctor who examined them said they were in good health
Cooper was abducted with Her 85-year-old husband Amiram from their Kibbutz home where they have lived for 70 years. Their granddaughter said she last spoke with them on October 7 at 9:40 am. "Grandad told me he could not talk because there were terrorists in the Kibbutz and they were walking around the houses. I didn't even have time to tell him I love him before the call was cut off," she said "When my father went into their house he said there was no blood but everything was vandalized and Hamas was written on the walls.
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Egyptian TV shows Yocheved Lifshitz in an ambulance after her release from Hamas captivity
Lifshitz was held apart from her 83-year-old husband Oded who was also abducted. their family said they were pleased with the news of the release but remained very concerned for the husbands of the women and the rest of the abducted. "We demand of the government to do everything possible to secure their immediate release."
"We decided to release them for compelling humanitarian and health reasons, despite the occupation committing more than eight violations of the procedures that were agreed upon with the mediating brothers for the occupation to adhere to during this day to complete the handover process," the Hamas terror group's military wing said. It claimed Israel refused to receive the two on Friday.
Earlier reports in the Saudi-based Al Arabiya news outlet and in the New York Times claimed there would be an imminent release of 50 of the hostages who hold foreign passports.
Senior Hamas Leader Khaled Meshaal said in an interview with Sky News earlier on Monday that civilian hostages held by Hamas would be released if Israel reduces air strikes on Gaza.
The Qatari ambassador to the United States, Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, stated that his country is committed to securing the release of all the hostages held in the Gaza Strip. He made these remarks during a meeting he held last night with Rabbi Marc Schneier, who is close to the leaders of the Persian Gulf, in which he informed him about the release of the two captives. "He informed me when I was in the Qatari embassy. The ambassador requested that the Israelis be aware of Qatar's commitment to promote the release of all the captives, regardless of their nationality. Qatar can help facilitate their release. We did not discuss the ground operation in Gaza," Rabbi Schneier said.
Rabbi Marc Schneier heads The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, which promotes interfaith dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities. Over the past 15 years, he has been warmly received in the palaces of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.