Two American hostages released as Israel-Hamas war rages

By Kathleen Magramo and Andrew Raine, Oct 21: Two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, have been released by Hamas and are with Israeli authorities, according to Israel's prime minister. The US citizens will be reunited with family at an Israeli military base, officials said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised their release and said the "urgent work" to free all American hostages — and other hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack — must continue. An Israeli military official credited "military pressure" for the release of the mother and daughter.

Conditions in Gaza are deteriorating as Israeli strikes pound the Palestinian enclave and aid agencies warn hospitals are nearly out of fuel. As a result, protests against the siege of Gaza are taking place in cities across the Middle East.

Humanitarian aid that has been stuck in Egypt should reach Gaza within "24 to 48 hours," US President Joe Biden said Friday. The UN has said the trucks waiting at the southern Rafah crossing will be the "difference between life and death."

The US and its allies have been urging Israel to set clear goals if and when it launches a ground invasion of Gaza, placing a particular emphasis on avoiding civilian casualties, US and Western officials told CNN.