Hamas Releases Two Israeli Hostages in Egypt, Qatar-Brokered Deal

Hamas has released two Israeli hostages among what's believed to be more than 200 held in the wake of an unprecedented attack on Israel that's escalated into full-scale war.

A source who was briefed on the matter and who spoke with Newsweek on the condition of anonymity, said the deal was made possible via mediation by Qatar and Egypt.

In a statement then shared by Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, spokesperson Abu Obaida also credited Egypt and Qatar, alleging that "the enemy has refused since last Friday to accept their receipt and is still neglecting the issue of prisoners."

"We have decided to release them for compelling humanitarian and health reasons," Abu Obaida said, "despite the occupation committing more than 8 violations of the procedures that were agreed upon with the mediator brothers that the occupation would adhere to during this day to complete the handover process."

Reached for comment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) referred Newsweek to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. A statement shared with Newsweek by the prime minister's office confirmed the release of the two individuals, naming them and identifying their ages as 79 years old and 85 years old, respectively, and expressed gratitude to Egypt and the Red Cross.

"The IDF and the security forces have worked hard in the last few days in all channels to bring about their release and to overcome the many difficulties that Hamas has piled up," the statement said.

The prime minister's office said that the spouses of the two detainees "are still being held by the cruel terrorist organization along with other abductees, and we will continue to work in every way for their return."

Contacted for comment, the International Committee of the Red Cross later shared with Newsweek a statement published on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming its role in facilitating the release of the two hostages and transporting them out of Gaza.

"Our role as a neutral intermediary makes this work possible & we are ready to facilitate any future release," the Red Cross said in a statement. "We hope that they will soon be back with their loved ones."

The development comes days after two U.S. hostages were released Friday via mediation by Qatar. Then too Hamas had also credited Egypt and other unspecified nations for their efforts in achieving an agreement.

Earlier, on October 11, the Al-Qassam Brigades published footage of what was purported to show the release of "an Israeli settler and her two children." It was unclear when the video was shot and the IDF dismissed the move at the time as "theatrics."

In its latest figure, the IDF has said Hamas took 222 people hostage during its October 7 surprise attack on Israel. The Al-Qassam Brigades has estimated it held between 200 and 250 prisoners, most of them in Hamas custody, and the rest in the hands of other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

As Israel presses on with a historic bombing campaign against the densely populated Palestinian territory, the Al-Qassam Brigades has stated that 22 detainees had been killed in Israeli airstrikes, a claim also met with skepticism by the IDF. The group has also said it was willing to release non-Israeli captives once it was safe to do so.

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