Four Israeli hostages were freed in a daylight operation by the IDF, officers of the police's elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, and Shin Bet agents. They were rescued from two different locations in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were taken hostage at the Supernova music festival near the community of Re'im on October 7.
The condition of all four is satisfactory, and they have been taken to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer for further medical examination.
The military reported that the IDF had attacked terrorist infrastructure in the Nuseirat area. According to Palestinian Authority sources, the attack on Nuseirat was extraordinarily extensive, involving strikes by both the Israeli Navy and Air Force.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari briefed the media, providing details about the operation to rescue the four hostages. He emphasized that the hostages were held in two different buildings in the densely populated Nuseirat camp. The rescue operation was conducted under fire, with the Israeli Navy and Air Force providing cover. Hagari also mentioned that a Yamam officer was seriously injured and hospitalized during the operation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with Noa Argamani, saying, "Noa, welcome home! We never gave up on you for a moment. I don't know if you believed this, but we did, and I'm glad it came true. Be happy with your family. Hug your mother for me and my wife, Sara."
Sources in the Palestinian Authority report that the IDF actions in the crowded Nuseirat market resulted in local casualties. According to Hamas-run Gaza's Ministry of health, at least 55 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured.
A representative of the Al-Aqsa Hospital stated that the facility is overwhelmed and lacks space for the injured, urging Palestinians to donate blood.
Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of a "massacre in Nuseirat" and promised that "the Palestinian people will not lay down their arms."
