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Hamas released two more hostages. They turned out to be Israeli women, Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper, who were captured in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.
The release was carried aout through the mediation of Egypt and Qatar. The operation passed through the same procedures that were applied during the release of the two American captives.
The representative of the Palestinian group had previously explained that the Americans were released in response to Qatar’s mediation efforts, as well as to “prove to the American people and the whole world” the falsity and groundlessness of the statements of the US authorities about Hamas.
The representative of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades noted that Israel had refused to take the hostages back since October 20, but the militants “decided to release the captives for compelling humanitarian reasons.” At the same time, Hamas claims that they were not hostages. The women were initially captured by some “other” forces.
Livshits told The Times of Israel that she did not know where she was being held. The woman reported that the militants put her on a motorcycle: one held her from behind and in front so that she would not fall. First, she was brought to the city of Abasan al-Kabir in the southern Gaza Strip, and then taken to another place.
Former Hamas captive Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, described how Hamas militia took her by motorcycle into a “spiderweb” of tunnels under Gaza. She noted that Hamas treated her gently and met all her needs during captivity, including getting her treated by a doctor. Lifshitz also pointed a finger of blame at the Israeli military – claiming the IDF did not take the threat of Hamas ‘seriously.’
According to the latest data provided by the Israeli military, Hamas is holding more than 200 people hostage, but this number may grow. On October 23, the Israeli media reported that Hamas was going to hand over 50 foreign hostages with dual citizenship to the Red Cross.
On October 24, the IDF has scattered leaflets over the Gaza Strip asking Palestinians to provide information about hostages held by Hamas. In return, the Israeli army promised to “provide security” and financial rewards and guaranteed “complete confidentiality.”
