Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton claimed that he believes that the release of two American hostages by Hamas on Friday was an effort to delay retaliation.
Bolton shared his view during a Newsmax interview on Saturday concerning the release of the hostages.
Bolton suggests Hamas release of US hostages was simple a delay tactic https://t.co/saQE31xoo5
— The Hill (@thehill) October 22, 2023
“Well obviously we should be very happy that at least two people have been let go,” Bolton said.
“But … given the way Hamas put it, and given what we know about Hamas and how it operates, what the character of its leadership is, I have to say for those concerned with the other hostages, I think this is an entirely cynical move by them," he added.
John Bolton: Release of two hostages is a delay tactic by Hamas https://t.co/n2zXctXnNh via @ArutzSheva_En
— Joy D Marshall (@JoyDMarshall1) October 22, 2023
“And it puts the lives of the remaining 200 plus hostages in even further jeopardy, but this is … hard logic to talk about it this way,” Bolton also stated during the interview.
“We’d hope that a civilized group would … leave everybody, let everybody go. That isn’t going to happen. They’re trying to play for time here, that’s what this is about," he continued.
🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Hostages released by Hamas identified as Judith and Natalie Raanan.
The pair, who both have American citizenship, have been transferred to the International Red Cross ahead of their arrival in Israel, the official says. #HamasHostages pic.twitter.com/75Lsdz1TAs
— The Lagos Times (@thelgtimes) October 20, 2023
"A senior Israeli official speaking to The Times of Israel identifies the two hostages released by Hamas as Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie," the Times of Israel reported Friday.
"The pair, who both have American citizenship, have been transferred to the International Red Cross ahead of their arrival in Israel, the official says," according to the report.
The two women were reportedly in Israel to celebrate the 85th birthday of a family member and to celebrate the Jewish holidays.
The mother and daughter live in Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago, and were staying in a kibbutz about a mile from the Gaza border when they were abducted. Natalie Raanan, 18, had recently graduated from high school.
While Americans are thankful for their release, Bolton warns that other Americans remain held by Hamas and that releasing two people is far from the end of the situation.
