the Two hostagesFernando Simon Merman, 60, and Luis Haar, 70, both Israeli-Argentine citizens, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7. They were captured along with three female relatives who were released during a ceasefire that lasted for a week. In late November.
The Israeli military said that Merman and Har were both in “good medical condition” and were transferred via military helicopters for further medical examination in Israel.
“I salute our brave warriors for the daring action that led to their liberation. Only continued military pressure until complete victory will lead to the release of all those kidnapped. We will not miss any opportunity to bring them home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Monday.
Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said the rescue operation, based on extensive military intelligence, began at 1:49 a.m., when special forces stormed a second-floor apartment in Rafah.
He added that armed Hamas fighters were guarding the men and were also deployed throughout the other apartments in the building. One minute later, Israel launched air strikes. The Israeli soldiers protected the hostages with their bodies while an intense exchange of fire broke out in several places between the forces and Hamas fighters.
The event was only the second successful rescue mission since the ground incursion into Gaza began in late October — on October 30, the Israeli military rescued a female hostage — and more than 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant accompanied the Israeli army commander during the raid during the night.
At least 50 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli operation, according to local media reports.
Argentine President Javier Miley praised the rescue operation Monday morning, saying in a social media post that during a meeting with Netanyahu last week in Jerusalem, he requested “the release of every one of the Argentine hostages” and continued to “continue his condemnation of Hamas.” Terrorism.”
The operation came hours after Netanyahu spoke by phone with President Biden, who warned that an Israeli ground incursion into southern Gaza without providing adequate accommodation for the civilian population would be considered unacceptable to the United States, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters. On the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House.
Karen DeYoung contributed to this report.
