Two hostages released by Hamas are Judith and Natalie Raanan

Two U.S. hostages abducted by Hamas, both related to former Israel-based NBC correspondent Martin Fletcher, have been released.

Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie, fell into the clutches of Hamas after the militants on Oct. 7 launched a surprise terror attack on Israel. They had been staying on a kibbutz called Nahal Oz, in southern Israel.

Their release was announced Friday by the Israeli prime minister's office and confirmed by Fletcher a day after the former correspondent went public and said on MSNBC's “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” that...