"We decided to release them for humanitarian and poor health grounds," Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the armed wing, said on Telegram. A source said they were elderly Israelis, identified by Israeli media as Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz.
Asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, US President Joe Biden said:""We should have those hostages released and then we can talk." The Israeli bombardment was triggered by the Oct 7 assault, the bloodiest episode in a single day since the state of Israel was founded 75 years ago. Palestinians gather at the site of Israeli strikes on houses, as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Oct 23, 2023. Israeli aircraft hit positions in south Lebanon held by Hezbollah which, like Hamas, is a group allied to Israel's long-time foe Iran. The Israeli army and Palestinians also clashed in the occupied West Bank and Hamas fired more rockets into Israel.
Another, with an injury on his face, said they were told their prize for bringing captives would be a new home and US$10,000.Israel said its armed forces' incursions overnight were partly intended to gather intelligence, with the whereabouts of the hostages unknown, and had helped improve its military readiness.
The Israeli military, the Middle East's most powerful, faces a group that has built up a large arsenal with Iran's help, fighting in a crowded urban setting and using a vast tunnel network.