Through Egyptian mediation, Hamas releases two Israeli captives

CAIRO – 23 October 2023: Through Egypt’s mediation, two Israeli captives Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz, were released by Al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement) on Monday.

The two captives were released for compelling humanitarian and health reasons. It was announced by Hamas on Sunday that Israel had refused to receive them since Friday.

The released women arrived at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Al Qahera News reported.

Egypt is in contact with concerned parties to release more Israeli captives in the coming period. It also succeeded in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where Palestinians have been under Israeli airstrikes since October 7.

Fifty-five humanitarian aid trucks entered into the Gaza Strip so far, said Secretary- General of the Egyptian Red Crescent Raed Abdel Nasser.

In comments to “The Newsroom” talk show, he added that about 100 additional trucks in the Egyptian side of Rafah are waiting to enter into the Strip.

He noted that 30 planes loaded with humanitarian aid were received from countries for the Gaza Strip via Egypt, after opening Al-Arish Airport.

The Al Arish Airport received on Monday two humanitarian aid planes from Kuwait and Iraq to be prepared and sent to Gaza Strip.