Families welcome hostages’ release
A group supporting families of some of the hostages being held in Gaza has welcomed the apparent release of two hostages by Hamas.
We do not know yet if the families are reacting to the reports or have been told anything.
Describing Hamas’s actions as war crimes, Hostages Families HQ called on leaders in Arab countries to use their influence on Hamas leaders to immediately release all the kidnapped and missing persons held in Gaza.
The group urged world leaders and the international community to also use their “full power” to work for the release of all the hostages and missing persons.
Israeli officials confirm the release of US hostages
Israeli officials have confirmed to the BBC that two American hostages, Judith and Natalie Raanan have been released by Hamas.
The mother and daughter were taken hostage by Hamas at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, in southern Israel, on 7 October.