The terrorist group Hamas has released two more than 200 hostages taken during its October 7 rampage in southern Israel. They were 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper. They were ferried from Gaza by a military helicopter to Tel Aviv, where they appeared in good health. Relatives of other captives welcomed their release, but they also expressed despair over the fate of those still being held by Hamas.

It remains unclear whether or not those captives will be exchanged for the freedom of the woman and daughter. In a statement, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas militant group said the decision to release the women was made on “compelling humanitarian and poor health grounds.” The United States and Israel have criticized the group for using the kidnappings to promote its cause.

On Monday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip. It has hit some 500 sites since launching its major offensive against the Islamic jihadists on October 7, killing 115 Hamas fighters and wounding more than 5,087 Palestinians, including 2,055 children. Israel has warned that it is preparing for a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip and has been bombarding areas near the border with Lebanon.

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The escalation of the war has raised concerns that Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia aiding Hamas in retaliation for the Israel bombing, will get involved in the fighting. That could further escalate the deadly conflict, potentially leading to a major regional conflagration.

Earlier on Monday, Israel released video footage of interrogations of some of the Hamas gunmen who took part in the October 7 rampage, according to Haaretz. In one clip, a handcuffed Hamas man can be heard explaining the orders he received to kill or capture Israelis and bring the men, women, and children back as hostages.

In the wake of that development, there were reports that the United States had advised Israel to hold off on a ground assault in the Gaza Strip. But that advice may not have been followed, as Haaretz and other Israeli media reported that the USS Carney, a Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, had intercepted three missiles fired from Yemen that were headed toward Israel. The Pentagon declined to comment on the report. U.S. officials told NBC News that it was not clear the missiles were aimed at the ship or Israel. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations that have not yet been publicly disclosed. The Israeli government, meanwhile, has said it will not negotiate with the terrorist group. It has threatened to “blow them away” with airstrikes if necessary.