Antony Blinken, "optimistic" There will be further hostage releases, but Hamas is dubious.

The recent release of an American mother and daughter held captive by Hamas was applauded by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday, but he expressed doubt about the militant group’s recent announcement that they were prepared to release two more hostages.

“Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker questioned Blinken during the interview, saying, “Hamas has released a statement indicating they are prepared to release two more hostages.” Could you tell us anything about that? Do you think this terrorist organization is making a legitimate offer?

Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were taken hostage by Hamas during the militants’ October 7 attack on Israel, but Blinken said the U.S. is “engaged with different partners in the region, sending clear messages about the need to immediately and unconditionally release all of the hostages” and that it was “gratifying” to see their release.
“We expect to see more releases in the future. The simple fact remains, though: They must be set free. Every single one of them. Right now. Without any conditions “said him.

A major factor in the Raanans’ unexpected release on Friday was Qatar. The military wing of Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida told Telegram that the organization had notified Qatar on Friday that it would release Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz for “humanitarian reasons and without compensation,” employing the “same procedures” as those used in the release of the two American hostages. The Israelis, according to Obeida, had declined to accept Yitzhak and Lifshitz.

However, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration retaliated, labeling the Hamas claims as “propaganda.”

“Do you take this word by Hamas that they are potentially prepared to release two more hostage seriously?” Welker posed to Blinken on Sunday. For instance, is the American administration currently collaborating with Qatar to bring that about?

“Acts speak louder than words, especially coming from Hamas,” he declared. But as I mentioned earlier, we have been in relationships. One of my initial actions following the horrifying Oct. 7 incident, in which a remarkable number of individuals, including women, men, small children, and elderly people, were taken hostage, was to speak with whomever we could who might be able to encourage Hamas to release the hostages.

“With regard to Judith and Natalie, I would like to thank the Qatari government once more for being instrumental in their release and their current journey home to be with their families,” he continued.

“I can’t, we don’t know why Hamas chose to release Natalie and Judith first,” Blinken responded when asked whether he could explain why Ranaan and her daughter had been freed and why now.