Amidst the ongoing suffering in Israel, two families have reason to rejoice.

On Monday, Hamas released two elderly Israeli women, Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 80, both residents of the Nir Oz kibbutz, into the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Lifshitz and Cooper were taken hostage on October 7, during the bloody, violent massacre that decimated Kibbutz Nir Oz.

The ICRC confirmed the release in a tweet, stating: "We facilitated the release of 2 more hostages, transporting them out of Gaza this evening. Our role as a neutral intermediary makes this work possible & we are ready to facilitate any future release. We hope that they will soon be back with their loved ones."

Yocheved Lifshitz's family also confirmed the release in a statement:

"I can confirm that my mother Yochi (Yocheved) Lifshitz was one of two hostages released to the Red Cross this evening," her daughter Sharone Lifshitz said in a statement released to the media. "While I cannot put into words the relief that she is now safe, I will remain focused on securing the release of my father and all those — some 200 innocent people — who remain hostages in Gaza."

Lifshitz's grandson, Daniel, added that he and his family were “excited and happy” that his grandmother would be reunited with the family, adding: “We hope this is just the start of the release of all the hostages."

Hamas released the two hostages with no concessions from Israel. A spokesman for Hamas, Abu Obaida, issued a statement indicating the women were released "for compelling humanitarian and health reasons.” Hamas also cited "humanitarian reasons" when it released two Israeli-American hostages last Friday.

One Middle East analyst called into question the terror group's claims that they were acting out of compassion when releasing the hostages. Instead, he argued, it was simply a stalling tactic -- an attempt to delay Israel's plans for a ground invasion of Gaza while Hamas facilitates international pressure against Israel.

Hamas says it has released two hostages. The group also says the hostages were released due to humanitarian reasons. While this may sound like a credible excuse, it's not. It's simply a tactic to create international pressure on Israel to delay a ground incursion into Gaza.

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 23, 2023

The husbands of the two women released Monday, Oded Lifshitz and Amiram Cooper, continue to be held hostage in Gaza.