JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Hamas claimed Monday night that it has released two more of the hostages, both older women, named Nurit Cooper(79) and Yocheved Lifshitz(86).
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Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida announced a short time ago that the two Israeli women had been freed via Qatari-Egyptian negotiators. He claimed that it had intended to release both women on Saturday but Israel had “refused to accept them.”
Israel has now confirmed the release of the two hostages and their families have been notified
In a related report on i24 news, sources within Gaza claimed that a potential deal to release captives is currently underway, with Qatari mediation playing a crucial role. The Red Cross are allegedly on their way to receive a group of about 50 of the hostages with dual citizenship.
According to the sources, their transfer will take place in the Khan Yunis area in the south of the Gaza Strip. Should no new obstacles emerge, a deal is anticipated to be reached in the hours ahead. Israel will not be an official party in negotiations for the release of hostages with a dual citizenship. As part of the understandings and in order to allow the Red Cross personnel to reach the area safely, the sources report that there have been no Israeli airstrikes on Gaza during the last few hours.