Dr Mike Evans

Four Israeli hostages rescued from Gaza By Dr Mike Evans

In a coordinated effort involving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and Israel Police, four Israeli hostages were rescued from Gaza’s Nuseirat camp on Saturday morning.

Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) had been held captive since their abduction during the Nova Music Festival on October 7 by Hamas terrorists.

The successful rescue operation, named “Operation Arnon” in honor of Yamam officer Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, who tragically lost his life during the operation, was meticulously planned over several weeks. Shin Bet intelligence played a crucial role in pinpointing the precise location of the hostages.

Despite heavy resistance from Hamas militants, the hostages were liberated from two separate locations within Nuseirat in a complex daytime operation. The forces managed to extract the hostages unharmed.

Following their rescue, the hostages were promptly transferred to Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer for medical examinations, where they were joyously reunited with their families.

The rescue mission was not without its challenges. Hamas condemned the operation as a “war crime” and claimed significant casualties from Israeli fire, with reports suggesting around 200 fatalities and over 400 wounded. Israeli authorities maintained that the operation was conducted with the utmost precision and adherence to international law.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, overcome with emotion, spoke with the freed hostages and pledged to continue efforts to bring all remaining hostages home safely. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the hospital to meet with the hostages and their families, praising the operation as heroic and vowing to explore every avenue to secure the release of all hostages.

Despite the risks and complexities involved, the successful rescue of the four hostages stands as a positive development following the abduction of over 200 Israelis by Hamas on October 7. Israel has vow to continue its efforts until all of the remaining hostages are freed.