Two US hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have been released by the militant group and are now back in Israel. 

Judith Raanan (60s) and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie Raanan were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th while they were staying at Nahal Oz kibbutz but have now been released on humanitarian grounds. 

Both of them hold Israeli citizenship and were on a trip to Israel from their home in Chicago to celebrate the Jewish holidays. 

The mother and daughter are with Israeli authorities and are on their way to a military base in the centre of the country where their family are waiting for them. 

The 17-year-old's father Uri Raanan said he spoke to his daughter while she and her mother were making their way to him. 

“She sounds very good, she looks very good, she was very happy,” he said. 

“I'm going to hug her and kiss her and it's going to be the best day of my life.” 

'Finally coming home'

The teenager’s stepsister Frida Alonso said she is “so happy” she is “finally coming home”. 

“We all missed you so much and hoped you were safe alive,” she said. 

“We know you're so brave and strong, and that's how you and your mom made it through this.” 

Hamas fighters captured approximately 200 hostages and brought them back to Gaza as part of their deadly attack. 

US authorities said there are still 10 American citizens “unaccounted for” in the region and some of them are being held hostage. 

An aid convoy carrying food and medicines has also arrived into Gaza, across the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. 

US Embassy officials in Israel said it's not clear how long the crossing will remain passable.