IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari held a press conference regarding the successful rescue operation that freed two hostages, Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Norberto Louis Har, 70, in southern Gaza's Rafah.
Hagari stated: "Last night, we brought Louis and Fernando home as part of a joint rescue operation involving the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit. An aerial operation accompanied by intensive airstrikes was conducted. The operation was executed following thorough preparation. At 1:49, fighters stormed a building in central Rafah. Louis and Fernando were held on the second floor. Yamam fighters protected Luis and Fernando from the terrorists' gunfire with their bodies."
Daniel Hagari also addressed the hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza: "If you can hear me now, we are very determined to bring you home, and we will not miss any opportunity to bring you home. We never forget that 134 abducted individuals are still held in the Gaza sector."
On the night of February 12, Israeli forces freed two hostages held by terrorists since October 7, 2023, in a special operation in Rafah, southern Gaza. The rescued hostages, 70-year-old Norberto Louis Har from Kibbutz Urim and 60-year-old Fernando Simon Marman from Kfar Saba were taken to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv. According to doctors, they are in good condition.
The hostages were freed while under Hamas militants' guard on the second floor of a building in central Rafah. During the shootout with terrorists, one Israeli soldier was lightly injured.
The hostage rescue operation lasted about an hour. Gunfire was opened from neighboring buildings at Israeli troops. Aviation was deployed to neutralize the militants.
Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reports at least 100 killed and 270 wounded in Rafah due to IDF airstrikes that night.
The operation to rescue hostages involved Yamam (Israel Border Police's counter-terrorism unit), the Shin Bet, and the IDF, including the navy's Shayetet 13 unit, supported by the Air Force and the 7th Armored Brigade of the 98th Division. The freed hostages were evacuated by helicopter. The 5515th Special Transport Unit carried out the evacuation.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant praised the actions of the IDF fighters and Shin Bet personnel involved in the rescue operation.
