Hamas releases two US hostages after mediation from Qatar, Israeli media reports

Two US hostages who had been held in Gaza have been released by Hamas, according to a statement from the terror group which has been confirmed by Israeli media.

Hamas claimed it has released the mother and daughter “for humanitarian reasons”, although did not provide further details.

A spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, Abu Ubaida, said the move was in response to mediation efforts from Qatar.

While the report has not yet been publicly verified, Israel’s Channel 13 News and Kan public broadcaster have reported that the Israeli government has confirmed the report, according to Reuters.

The source of this confirmation was not disclosed and it was not immediately clear where the hostages were released to.

Israeli officials are expected to confirm the news shortly, according to US broadcaster CBS.

If officially confirmed, the move raises hopes for the families of other hostages that there is a possibility that others may be released.

Israel’s military said on Friday that more than 20 children under 18 were among 200 hostages being held, before the release of the mother-and-daughter.

Although it is unclear at this stage what the ‘humanitarian’ reasons for letting hostages go would be, it shows that the back channel negotiations being mediated by Qatar are open and can be effective.

Any released hostages will also be able to provide a first hand account to US and Israeli authorities on how they have been treated while inside Gaza.

They may be able to provide information about some of the other hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, and conditons inside Gaza.

It is unclear at this stage what the implications are for Israel’s planned ground invasion if hostages have been released.

Unconfirmed reports claimed the hostages were released over the border with Egypt.

This potentially raises hopes for the prospect of a humanitarian corridor being opened up between Gaza and Egypt, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to allow aid and dual nationality citizens through the Rafah crossing.

The fact the two hostages reportedly released are US citizens is also a boost for President Joe Biden, but could also be interpreted as an attempt by Hamas to secure a win in the public relations war.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.