IDF spokesman confirms release of 2 hostages, blasts Hamas for holding another 200

By Emanuel Fabian

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20 October 2023, 10:04 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari gives a statement on October 17, 2023, saying that the Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad was responsible for a rocket misfire that hit a hospital in the Gaza Strip. (Screenshot)

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirms Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie have been released by Hamas and are in Israeli troops’ hands, but he slams the terror group for continuing to hold onto some 200 more captives.

“Hamas presents itself to the world at this hour as one who releases hostages for humanitarian reasons, but in reality, we are talking about a murderous terror group, which at this hour is holding babies, children, women and elderly captive,” Hagari says.

He says the IDF is continuing its efforts to return the hostages to Israel.

Hagari adds that the IDF is still preparing for the “next stages of the fighting,” which is expected to include a major ground offensive. “The fighting is likely to last many more weeks,” he adds.