Hamas released two kidnapped Israeli women with ties to Russia on Wednesday, the final day of a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas—as the militant group prepares to release at least 10 more hostages and negotiators consider a multi-day extension of the truce.
On Wednesday, two women joined more than 80 hostages who have been released by Hamas in recent days, ... [+]
IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that two hostages were given to the Red Cross by Hamas and were on their way back to Israel.
Haaretz reported the two women—Yelena Trupanob and Irena Tati—have Russian citizenship, and CNN reported they immigrated to Israel from Russia, but the IDF did not specify their citizenship status, simply calling them Israeli.
A Hamas spokesperson reportedly said the women were released separately from the group’s hostage release deal with Israel as a gesture to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip—though the Israeli Prime Minister’s office tweeted the two were freed as part of Thursday’s planned hostage releases.
Hamas is expected to release an additional 10 hostages on Wednesday as part of the extended truce agreement, and Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners.
Over the course of the six-day cease-fire, Hamas has released dozens of Israeli citizens who were taken to Gaza during the group’s deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The group has also released some captured people of other nationalities in deals separate from the agreement with Israel. In addition to the 50 hostages released in the first four days, 19 Thai hostages and at least one Filipino and one Russian hostage were released.
Whether any Americans are released on Wednesday. There are still believed to be nine American hostages held by Hamas, and a U.S. official and a diplomat told NBC News one American citizen may be among the hostages released today.
Negotiations are reportedly underway to extend the truce between Israel and Hamas and continue releasing hostages. A spokesperson for the Qatari government—which has helped broker the talks—told CNN the country is optimistic the deal will be extended.