Two American hostages from Illinois released by Hamas 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that two American hostages have been released by Hamas: Judith Raanan, 59, and Natalie Raanan, 17.

Both women are currently with the Red Cross. Their conditions were not immediately clear.

The Raanans are from Illinois. Ben Ranaan, the brother of Natalie Raanan and son of Judith Ranaan, said his mom and sister were in Israel for a relative's birthday when they were taken hostage.

Hamas said in a statement that the hostages, a mother and daughter who are both Americans, were released "for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless."

A total of 203 hostages have been taken from Israel since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, Israel's military said.