New Details About the Two American Hostages Freed by Hamas Transcript

This morning, we are hearing from the relatives of those two Americans held hostage by Hamas for two weeks. ABC’s Britt Clennett joins us now from Haifa, Israel with what we’re learning about that release. Good morning to you, Brett.

Good morning, Gio. Yeah, that’s right. The family of Judith and Natalie Raanan have spoken up saying their focus is now helping to return all the others still held captive, including their eight relatives. And Israel is saying it’s notified the families of the now 212 hostages still held in Gaza.

This morning, new details in the astonishing release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas for nearly two weeks. 17 year old Natalie Raanan and her 59 year old mother Judith, clearly in shock in this Hamas video as they are handed over to Red Cross workers in Gaza, Friday.

We were able to drive our Red Cross Land Cruisers. We picked up the two women and we drove them to the border and released them into Israeli hands.

President Biden speaking to the Raanans on the phone, telling them he plans to retrieve others still stuck in the hands of Hamas.

I just want to say thank you for your services for Israel.

Look, that’s been long-serving. I’m just delighted we’re able to get you out. We’ve been working on it a long time. We’re going to get them all out, God willing.

Their family overjoyed that the two will be heading back to the US.

[foreign language 00:01:26]

Judith’s cousin saying the relief we feel now over the release of Judith and Natalie is far beyond what words can describe. The Raanan family now turning their focus to the other roughly 210 hostages, which includes several Americans saying in a statement, “We remain entirely focused on the efforts to secure the return of our eight other family members that remain captive in Gaza.” Adding, “We will work around the clock with the other families of those held hostage until each and every one of them is back home.” Families around the world watching, seeing a glimmer of hope for their own missing loved ones upon Natalie and Judith’s release.

It’s giving me hope that my son Omer will be out as soon as possible.

Now we know that Qatar has played a key role in securing the release on Friday of those two Americans and now the families of the others hoping it will continue to act as a critical mediator. Janai.

So many still need help getting out, Britt. Thank you.

Well, hey there, GMA fans, Robin Roberts here. Thanks for checking out our YouTube channel. Lots of great stuff here. So go on, click the subscribe button, right over here to get more of awesome videos and content from GMA every day, anytime. We thank you for watching and we’ll see you in the morning on GMA.