Four hostages kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova Music Festival during the October 7 attacks have been rescued in a daylight raid deep in central Gaza.
The Israeli army said that Noah Argamani (26 years old), Almog Meir Gan (22 years old), Andrei Kozlov (27 years old) and Shlomi Ziv (41 years old) were released during a “complex and high-risk mission” from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area.
The Israeli army said that the four were in good medical condition and were transferred to Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center, where they were photographed hugging family members waiting at the facility.
Many people, including children, were killed and injured in the area where the operation took place, and photos and footage show large numbers of victims.
Hamas claims that more than 200 Palestinians were killed in the densely populated area, although this figure was issued by its media office, not medical sources.
“Accurate intelligence”
The rare hostage rescue – a joint operation by the Israeli army, Israel Security Agency and Israeli police – comes after eight months of war with Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the mission was based on “accurate” intelligence and that Israeli forces came under fire during the operation.
Israeli police said that a special forces officer was injured during a hostage rescue operation in Gaza and later died in hospital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli forces for working “creatively and courageously.”
He added: “We will not stop until we complete the mission and return all the hostages to their homeland, whether living or dead.”
Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that special forces worked “under heavy fire” when rescuing the four hostages.
“This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed in my 47 years of service in the Israeli defense establishment,” Gallant said.
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