Judith and Natalie Raanan, an American mother and daughter taken hostage two weeks ago by Hamas terrorists, have been freed from captivity.

Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, said it has released the women “for humanitarian reasons” because Judith Raanan is in poor health. The release was the result of negotiations between Qatar and Hamas, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said.

The Raanans are the first hostages to be freed since Hamas terrorists breached the Israel border on Oct. 7 and massacred upward of 1,400 people, including 27 Americans.

Natalie is the 17-year-old sister of Ben Raanan, artistic director of Denver’s disability-affirmative Phamaly Theatre Company. She and Judith, 59, both live in Evanston, Ill. The two were in Nahal Oz, a farming community located less than a mile from the Israeli-Gaza border, to celebrate Judith’s mother’s birthday.

In a previous interview with the Denver Gazette, Ben Raanan said: “Here’s the thing you need to know about Natalie: She is not a political person. I can’t even tell you her politics, because politics have never been important to her. She’s not a politician. She’s not part of the military. She’s just a normal kid with the brightest of futures ahead of her, and I am praying that she is still alive.”

Natalie and Judith Raanan, who both hold dual citizenship, were handed over to the Red Cross and reunited with family members on an Israeli military base – although it is believed that as many as 10 members of the extended Raanan family remain in Hamas captivity.

Hamas has said it has taken about 200 total hostages, and that 50 more are being held by other armed groups in the enclave. It also said more than 20 hostages have been killed by Israeli air strikes.

President Joe Biden said he is “overjoyed” that the two U.S. citizens will “soon be reunited with their family,” and called for their privacy. Biden reiterated that his administration has been “working around the clock” to free Americans held hostage by Hamas.

In a statement, Ubaida said: “In response to Qatari efforts, Al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless.”

Israel has amassed tanks and troops near the perimeter of the enclave for an expected ground invasion, calling on Palestinians to evacuate the north of Gaza, where it says Hamas is dug in. Israel has also said that there will be no end to its full blockade of the enclave unless Israeli hostages are freed.

Those held include women, children, the elderly and people from other countries which have been working for their release, along with some Israeli soldiers.

Wire services contributed to this report.