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Judith and Natalie Raanan: Hamas frees two US hostages


Hamas has released two US hostages who were abducted during the Palestinian group's deadly raid on Israel this month.

Israel confirmed they had received mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan from Hamas at the Gaza boundary.

The pair were freed for "humanitarian reasons", Hamas said.

US President Joe Biden said he was overjoyed at their release and confirmed he had spoken with the Raanans on the phone.

They were the first captives released since the gunmen raided Israel on 7 October, killing 1,400 people and taking around 200 hostages.

Palestinian officials say more than 4,000 people have been killed in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment.

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