The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) released this Monday two more hostages, two older Israeli women, This brings the number of prisoners released by the Islamist group to four since the October 7 attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has confirmed the release of Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper. In a statement, the spokesman for the military wing of Hamas, Abu Obeida, assured that his release takes place “for humanitarian reasons imperative and satisfactory” after Qatar-Egypt mediation.

Israeli television Channel 12 has reported that they are two women from 79 and 85 years. Likewise, he explained that they were kidnapped in the Nir Oz kibbutz and highlighted that their husbands are still held in Gaza. “They are going to a hospital in Israel specially prepared for them, where they will be reunited with their families,” the Israeli Government released this Monday, then, on Tuesday, it confirmed that both are in good health. The statement thanks Egypt “your help“and to the International Committee of the Red Cross”for its important life-saving function“. He also highlights that the Israeli Armed Forces have also played no role in the liberation.

“The Armed Forces and the security forces have worked hard in recent days in all ways to achieve his release and overcome the many obstacles posed by Hamas,” he highlighted. The news of the release has been published by the Hamas militias, the Ezzedin al Qassam Brigades, which reported the release “for reasons of force majeure” and reasons for “disease” of the two women, as Abu Obeida explained on social networks.

Hamas says Israel refused to accept release

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) has confirmed the “release of two more hostages” through Rafah Pass. “They have been transferred out of Gaza this afternoon,” the ICRC published on its account on X, formerly Twitter. “Our work as neutral intermediaries between warring parties makes this work possible. We stand ready to visit the remaining hostages and facilitate any future release,” said an ICRC spokesperson.

Egyptian media later published images of one of the women being transferred on a stretcher towards two ambulances at the Rafah crossing. Media such as independent television Al Qahera have highlighted that the liberation is the “culmination of Egyptian efforts.”

The Hamas spokesman reiterated that last Friday Israel refused to accept the release of these two hostages, but they have finally decided to release the two prisoners “despite the fact that the occupation (Israel) has failed to comply eight times with the procedures agreed upon with the sponsors of the agreement.” Furthermore, he highlighted that this agreement has been possible thanks to the mediation of Egypt and Qatar. Israeli authorities have confirmed that Hamas has 222 hostages captured in the incursion of their militias into Israeli territory on October 7.