Late on Friday night time, someplace alongside the Gaza-Israel border, Judith and Natalie Raanan have been handed over by masked Hamas gunmen into the care of the International Red Cross.

In a video launched by Hamas, they give the impression of being exhausted and dazed.

No marvel.

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The Americans have been simply two of an estimated 203 hostages taken by Hamas after they broke by way of the border fence and went on a murderous rampage precisely two weeks in the past.

For all the nice news that last night was, this stays the most important hostage disaster in Israel's historical past.

The launch was largely right down to mediation performed by Qatar, together with American assist.

Some of Hamas's senior political leaders reside in Doha in exile and retain an workplace there.

Whilst some may query why Qatar, a western ally, permits Hamas to stay there, they'd argue that is an instance of how it's higher to have Hamas close-by fairly than despatched into exile to an unfriendly state.

Were Qatar to shut the workplace and deport Hamas, they'd seemingly go to Tehran and possibly onto Moscow. Lines of communication, so very important at a time like this, could be misplaced.

Officially, the pair have been launched on "humanitarian grounds" however that phrase may cowl all method of causes.

I might assume it unlikely any concessions have been made to Hamas in change for his or her return, extra possible is that this was an try by the group to look compassionate.

Few will purchase that.

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Many of the hostages who stay in Gaza have critical and even life-threatening medical situations: most cancers, kidney illness, autism and diabetes being just a few that we find out about.

They vary in age from 9 months to 90-years-old, and most are civilians not troopers, though a excessive variety of Israel Defence Forces troopers have been captured.

Their destiny is way extra sophisticated, I can not see Hamas handing Israeli troopers again with out demanding vital concessions in return, most likely the discharge of 1000's of Palestinian prisoners, however negotiators will probably be impressing on Hamas that there isn't a humane motive why they need to preserve girls, kids and the aged captive.

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There are unverified reviews that the US and a few European nations are urging Israel to pause any plans there could be for an imminent floor invasion of Gaza, so that the hostage negotiations are given extra time.

That place, assuming its true, will probably be strengthened by occasions final night time.

Undoubtedly, securing the discharge of hostages through diplomatic channels is preferable to a military-led rescue operation.

With so many hostages nonetheless in Gaza, and certain unfold across the Strip each overground and underground, kicking down doorways and getting in capturing is fraught with excessive danger for Israeli troopers - and the hostages themselves.

Whilst there may be actually logic on this, having spent the previous fortnight making ready their forces, Israel may need to transfer earlier than later, denying Hamas any extra time to regroup and put together themselves for the battle forward.