Israel conducted its largest hostage rescue operation since the war with Hamas began, rescuing four individuals from central Gaza amid ongoing heavy fighting. A health official reported that at least 94 Palestinians, including children, were taken to local hospitals.
The rescued hostages, Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were all safely recovered by the Israeli military in a daring daytime operation in Nuseirat. They had been held captive for 246 days and were taken to receive medical checks and reunite with their loved ones.
Argamani, one of the hostages, was notably recognized after being abducted from a music festival. Following the rescue, she expressed her excitement to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing her relief at hearing Hebrew again after a long period of captivity.
Israel’s Prime Minister stated that the country would not yield to terrorism and would utilize creativity and determination to bring all abductees home. The successful operation was described as daring, well-planned, and executed remarkably by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In the midst of the rescue, casualties were reported from the Palestinian side, with nearly 100 dead and over 100 wounded individuals. The recovery operation was conducted amidst ongoing conflict in central Gaza, where groups of hostages were taken in previous attacks.
The rescue operation marked the seventh successful recovery of hostages, signaling hope for more captives still held. Meanwhile, efforts toward a cease-fire agreement remain uncertain, with increasing international pressure for peace and restoration in the conflict-stricken region.
The escalating violence in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant loss of life and heightened humanitarian crises, underscores the urgency for immediate action to mitigate civilian suffering and foster stability in the region.
Israel’s intensifying operations in Gaza, particularly in central regions, have sparked concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian access. The recent airstrike on a U.N.-run school compound raised further alarm, resulting in a tragic loss of life and renewed calls for peace negotiations.
Mednick and Jeffrey reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
