In a surprising move, Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, has released two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, from Gaza. The release was attributed to Qatari mediation efforts in the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas claims to have taken around 200 hostages during an attack on communities and military bases in southern Israel, which marked the biggest assault on the country since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The group stated that 50 more hostages are being held by other armed factions in Gaza, with over 20 hostages already killed by Israeli airstrikes.
The spokesperson for the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, stated that the release was done for humanitarian reasons and to refute the claims made by President Joe Biden and his administration. In response to the hostage crisis and the attack by Hamas, Israel launched a series of air strikes on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 people. Israel has also mobilized tanks and troops near the enclave’s perimeter in preparation for a potential ground invasion, while demanding the release of Israeli hostages as a condition for the end of the blockade on Gaza.
The fate of the remaining hostages remains uncertain, with Hamas suggesting a potential exchange for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, given Israel’s current war footing, such a swap seems unlikely. The international community, including the United States and Britain, has been working with Qatar to secure the release of their citizens held in Gaza. The complexity of the hostage situation complicates Israel’s plans to eradicate Hamas while adhering to the principle of leaving no one behind.
