As the announcement comes about the Israel-Hamas reaching a ceasefire deal, hostages and prisoners would be released by both parties as per the truce agreement.&nbsp;
The ceasefire deal marks an end to the 15 months of deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas. The agreement was announced in Qatar on Wednesday (Jan 15) after months of negotiations, facilitated by the Arab nations and the United States.&nbsp;
Moreover, the hostage release would also include the Americans taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-thanks-trump-for-crucial-role-in-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal-8626330" rel="dofollow">Biden administration thanks Trump for 'critical' role in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal</a>
According to the deal, the Hamas delegation agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.&nbsp;
The three American-Israeli hostages would also be released, as per the agreement. It will be done in two different phases, a senior White House official said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-biden-and-trump-two-presidents-one-truce-who-gets-the-credit-8625582" rel="dofollow">Gaza ceasefire: Biden and Trump - two presidents, one truce, who gets the credit?</a>
<h2>Who are three American-Israeli hostages?</h2>
<h3>Sagui Dekel-Che</h3>
The 36-year-old Sagui Dekel-Che will be released, and was qualified to be released because of injury, according to an official, who further noted that he was shot on October 7, when the Hamas group attacked southern Israel for the first time.&nbsp;
<h3>Keith Siegal&nbsp;</h3>
Keith Siegal, 65, was qualified to be released because of the age, according to the ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-accuses-hamas-of-reneging-on-parts-of-gaza-deal-8626657" rel="dofollow">Israel accuses Hamas of 'reneging' on parts of Gaza deal</a>
Both, Siegal and Sagui Dekel-Che, will be released in the first phase of the releases.&nbsp;
<h3>Edan Alexander</h3>
20-year-old Edan Alexander will be released in the second phase of the deal because of his service with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), an official said.&nbsp;
The official further said that he spoke with Alexander's father last night, adding that the US remains fully committed to getting him released.&nbsp;
"We are committed to getting all Americans, these are American-Israeli citizens, all of them out of Gaza, whether living or remains. That is our commitment," the official said.
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-leaders-welcome-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal-urge-quick-action-8625864" rel="dofollow"> Global leaders welcome Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, urge quick action</a>
Notably, the first phase of the deal is expected to begin on Sunday (Jan 19), and outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;
As Qatar announced the ceasefire deal, the US State Department&nbsp; said that President-elect Donald Trump's administration's involvement in finalising the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal was "absolutely critical".
Miller also highlighted that it was important for the teams to be on the same table.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The Hamas delegation agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. 

As the announcement comes about the Israel-Hamas reaching a ceasefire deal, hostages and prisoners would be released by both parties as per the truce agreement. The ceasefire deal marks an end to the 15 months of deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas. The agreement was announced in Qatar on Wednesday (Jan 15) after months of negotiations, facilitated by the Arab nations and the United States. Moreover, the hostage release would also include the Americans taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group. Also read: Biden administration thanks Trump for 'critical' role in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal According to the deal, the Hamas delegation agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The three American-Israeli hostages would also be released, as per the agreement. It will be done in two different phases, a senior White House official said. Also read: Gaza ceasefire: Biden and Trump - two presidents, one truce, who gets the credit? Who are three American-Israeli hostages? Sagui Dekel-Che The 36-year-old Sagui Dekel-Che will be released, and was qualified to be released because of injury, according to an official, who further noted that he was shot on October 7, when the Hamas group attacked southern Israel for the first time. Keith Siegal Keith Siegal, 65, was qualified to be released because of the age, according to the ceasefire agreement. Also read: Israel accuses Hamas of 'reneging' on parts of Gaza deal Both, Siegal and Sagui Dekel-Che, will be released in the first phase of the releases. Edan Alexander 20-year-old Edan Alexander will be released in the second phase of the deal because of his service with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), an official said. The official further said that he spoke with Alexander's father last night, adding that the US remains fully committed to getting him released. "We are committed to getting all Americans, these are American-Israeli citizens, all of them out of Gaza, whether living or remains. That is our commitment," the official said. Also read: Global leaders welcome Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, urge quick action Notably, the first phase of the deal is expected to begin on Sunday (Jan 19), and outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. As Qatar announced the ceasefire deal, the US State Department said that President-elect Donald Trump's administration's involvement in finalising the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal was "absolutely critical". Miller also highlighted that it was important for the teams to be on the same table. (With inputs from agencies)

Who are the American hostages to be released in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal?

United States President Joe Biden, on Saturday (Oct 21), spoke over the phone with the two American hostages released by Hamas after being held captive by the Palestinian terrorist group which launched an unprecedented attack against Israel from Gaza Strip.

Biden took to his official X handle and shared a post saying, "I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted-for Americans."

Judith and Natalie Raanan were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Hamas's October 7 invasion of southern Israel that claimed the lives of 1,400 people.

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I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. 
 
Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans. <a href="https://t.co/oXk6gfrD8M">pic.twitter.com/oXk6gfrD8M</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1715489606722801704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The mother-daughter duo lived in Chicago and were visiting Israel to celebrate a relative's birthday.

On Friday, (Oct 20), Biden said that he was "overjoyed" at the release of the hostages and thanked Qatar and the government of Israel "for their partnership in this work".

"Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel on October 7," Biden said in a statement.

"Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear."&nbsp;

The United States president then pledged support to the families of the hostages saying that the work would continue to win the release of other Americans being held by Hamas since the attack.

"We will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world," Biden said.

"These individuals and their families will have the full support of the United States government as they recover and heal, and we should all respect their privacy in this moment," he added.

<h2>Mediation will lead to hostage releases 'very soon'</h2>

A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman told German Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the ongoing discussions will lead to the release of hostages held captive by Hamas "very soon, especially civilians".

"I can't promise you this will happen today or tomorrow or after tomorrow. But we are taking a path that will very soon lead to the release of the hostages, especially civilians," Majed Al-Ansari said.&nbsp;

"We are currently working on an agreement under which all civilian hostages will be initially released," he added.&nbsp;

He further said that the release of the two American nationals "proved to us and our partners that the efforts made in the past days are feasible and must continue".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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United States President Joe Biden, on Saturday (Oct 21), spoke over the phone with the two American hostages released by Hamas after being held captive by the Palestinian terrorist group which launched an unprecedented attack against Israel from Gaza Strip.

United States President Joe Biden, on Saturday (Oct 21), spoke over the phone with the two American hostages released by Hamas after being held captive by the Palestinian terrorist group which launched an unprecedented attack against Israel from Gaza Strip. Biden took to his official X handle and shared a post saying, "I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted-for Americans." Judith and Natalie Raanan were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during Hamas's October 7 invasion of southern Israel that claimed the lives of 1,400 people. I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans. pic.twitter.com/oXk6gfrD8M — President Biden (@POTUS) October 20, 2023 × The mother-daughter duo lived in Chicago and were visiting Israel to celebrate a relative's birthday. On Friday, (Oct 20), Biden said that he was "overjoyed" at the release of the hostages and thanked Qatar and the government of Israel "for their partnership in this work". "Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel on October 7," Biden said in a statement. "Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear." The United States president then pledged support to the families of the hostages saying that the work would continue to win the release of other Americans being held by Hamas since the attack. "We will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world," Biden said. "These individuals and their families will have the full support of the United States government as they recover and heal, and we should all respect their privacy in this moment," he added. Mediation will lead to hostage releases 'very soon' A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman told German Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the ongoing discussions will lead to the release of hostages held captive by Hamas "very soon, especially civilians". "I can't promise you this will happen today or tomorrow or after tomorrow. But we are taking a path that will very soon lead to the release of the hostages, especially civilians," Majed Al-Ansari said. "We are currently working on an agreement under which all civilian hostages will be initially released," he added. He further said that the release of the two American nationals "proved to us and our partners that the efforts made in the past days are feasible and must continue". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US President Joe Biden dials American hostages released by Hamas

Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Friday (Oct 20), released a statement saying that it had released two American hostages out of the 200 captives it kidnapped following an unprecedented attack against Israel.

"In response to Qatari efforts, (Ezzedine) al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons," Hamas said in a statement posted on Telegram.

The militant group did not share details on how and when the hostages were released.

Earlier on Friday, the Israeli military said that most of the hostages abducted to Gaza were still alive.

"The majority of the hostages are alive. There were also dead bodies that were taken... to the Gaza Strip," an army statement said.

The army said that more than 20 hostages were minors, while between 10 and 20 were over the age of 60.

The Israeli military has carried out air raids on thousands of Hamas targets in Gaza, said the spokesman.

"They include quality targets such as drone facilities, they include naval facilities, they include command and control facilities, they include all of the rocket facilities," Lerner said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-asks-congress-for-105-bln-security-package-includes-funds-for-ukraine-and-israel-649351">Biden asks Congress for $105 bln package, including funds for Ukraine, Israel</a>

"Our assessment suggests that at this time Hamas are in a state of disarray, they have no idea what the situation is above ground, they have escaped into the tunnels."

<h2>'Any help from New Delhi is welcome' for release of hostages, says Israel envoy to India</h2>

Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, while speaking to Indian Express, stated that Israel would welcome any help from India for the release of over 200 Israeli hostages, including several foreign nationals.&nbsp;

He further said that Israel was "moved that the first reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi came on the same afternoon, even before the full picture was out".

Gilon added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi again "expressed solidarity" after speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a few days later. He said, "Not just the Indian PM, we have got a show of support from all levels here — officials, ministers, civil society, and even people on social media."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

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Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Friday (Oct 20), released a statement saying that it had released two American hostages out of the 200 captives it kidnapped following an unprecedented attack against Israel.

Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Friday (Oct 20), released a statement saying that it had released two American hostages out of the 200 captives it kidnapped following an unprecedented attack against Israel. "In response to Qatari efforts, (Ezzedine) al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons," Hamas said in a statement posted on Telegram. The militant group did not share details on how and when the hostages were released. Earlier on Friday, the Israeli military said that most of the hostages abducted to Gaza were still alive. "The majority of the hostages are alive. There were also dead bodies that were taken... to the Gaza Strip," an army statement said. The army said that more than 20 hostages were minors, while between 10 and 20 were over the age of 60. The Israeli military has carried out air raids on thousands of Hamas targets in Gaza, said the spokesman. "They include quality targets such as drone facilities, they include naval facilities, they include command and control facilities, they include all of the rocket facilities," Lerner said. Also read: Biden asks Congress for $105 bln package, including funds for Ukraine, Israel "Our assessment suggests that at this time Hamas are in a state of disarray, they have no idea what the situation is above ground, they have escaped into the tunnels." 'Any help from New Delhi is welcome' for release of hostages, says Israel envoy to India Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, while speaking to Indian Express, stated that Israel would welcome any help from India for the release of over 200 Israeli hostages, including several foreign nationals. He further said that Israel was "moved that the first reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi came on the same afternoon, even before the full picture was out". Gilon added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi again "expressed solidarity" after speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a few days later. He said, "Not just the Indian PM, we have got a show of support from all levels here — officials, ministers, civil society, and even people on social media." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hamas releases two American hostages from Gaza

Two ex-British alleged Islamic State suspects have appeared in a US court charged over the killing of four American hostages. Watch report.

Two ISIS terrorists appear in US court: 'Duo involved in beheading of hostages'