Hamas Releases Two More Hostages for “Compelling Humanitarian” Reasons

Two more hostages have been released by Hamas, multiple sources confirmed to NBC News on Monday. The two hostages, identified as Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz, were released for “compelling humanitarian” reasons, according to a statement from the military wing of Hamas posted on Telegram.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had facilitated the release of the two captives and transported them out of Gaza on Monday night local time. The two hostages were taken with their spouses, 85-year-old Amiram Cooper and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, respectively.

The two hostages were reportedly peace activists who regularly transported patients from Gaza to hospitals across Israel for medical treatments. Images of the hostages being released have not been confirmed by NBC News.

The release of the two hostages comes three days after the release of two American women who had been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The humanitarian organization said in a statement posted on social media that they hope the two captives will soon be back with their loved ones.