The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said on Monday it had freed two women abducted during its attack on Israeli territory on October 7 and held since then in the Gaza Strip, which it controls, AFP reported.

A spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, Abu Obeida, said in a statement that the two hostages had been released “for urgent humanitarian reasons” thanks to the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.

The release, which came three days after two American hostages were released, was not immediately confirmed by Israeli authorities.

Hamas may release 50 hostages with dual citizenship who will be handed over to the Red Cross. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are heading to Gaza to return 50 hostages out of more than 200 taken by Hamas, Israeli television i24NEWS reported Monday evening.

The information appeared after the New York Times newspaper wrote in the morning that Hamas is considering the possibility of releasing hostages who have foreign passports.

A source familiar with ongoing talks to release hostages held in Gaza said the number of hostages expected tonight would be relatively small compared to a report by The New York Times of 50 people.

The source added that the claim of 50 hostages did not figure in current discussions between the parties.

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