US officials welcome release of two hostages by Hamas
Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: We continue to do everything possible to secure the release of all remaining hostages.
Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor, commented on the release of Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, who had been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since the deadly terrorist attack on October 7.
“We welcome today’s release of two Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas. We continue to do everything possible to secure the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza,” said Sullivan.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US is "very gratified" that the two Israeli women were released.
"Well, obviously we're very gratified to see the release of these two hostages - Israeli citizens - which comes on top of the release on Friday have to American citizens really since the immediate aftermath of the attack on Israel on October 7," Miller said during an appearance on MSNBC.
Cooper and Lifshitz were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Nahal Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Both women do not have dual citizenship. Their husbands remain in Hamas' clutches.
The two arrived by military helicopter at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv early Tuesday morning. The hospital stated that upon their arrival, they will undergo a medical examination and evaluation.