First Hostage Releases — Two American Women

Hamas released Judith Tai Raanan (59) and her daughter Natalie Raanan (17), two American citizens taken from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, on October 20, 2023 — the first voluntary releases since the attack. The release was brokered by Qatar and facilitated by US intermediaries. Hamas stated the women were released for 'humanitarian reasons' and cited their US citizenship. The release was seen as a diplomatic signal by Hamas rather than a breakthrough in negotiations.