Four hostages freed from the Gaza Strip; Hamas grieves over 270 casualties.
The military has revealed the identities of the four hostages who were recently freed. They include Noa Argamani (age 26), Almog Meir Jan (age 22), Andrey Kozlov (age 27), and Schlomi Ziv (age 41). These Israeli citizens were reportedly taken during a Hamas attack on a music festival in southern Israel on 7th October.
The army has confirmed that the hostages are in good health, and they have shared pictures of their reunion with their families. There was much joy at a Tel Aviv beach when a lifeguard announced their release.
The army stated that the hostages were freed from a refugee camp in Nuseirat on Saturday. According to the army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, the Israelis were held in two different apartments located in various buildings. Both guards and civilians sought refuge in the three- and four-story buildings.
During the rescue, the rescue team encountered gunfire while freeing the men held in one apartment, resulting in a policeman being severely injured. Later, this policeman passed away due to his injuries. Additionally, the Israelis freed were attacked by terrorists using rocket-propelled grenades.
Hamas, the ruling party in Gaza Strip, claimed that during the Israeli raids in Nuseirat, 274 people were killed and many more were injured. A spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas said on Sunday that several Israeli hostages were slain during the rescue operation. However, these claims have not been verified by independent sources.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation demonstrated Israel's resilience to terrorism, emphasizing its aim to act "creatively and courageously" for the safe return of the hostages. Defense Minister Joav Gallant expressed joy over the freed hostages, dubbing it a "miraculous triumph" and urged the authorities to work towards the release of the remaining hostages.
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv demanded an end to the war, with Michael Levy, whose brother Or is still being held by the Hamas, explaining that the remaining hostages couldn't be freed through military operations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) viewed the release of the four Israelis as a "positive sign" for the families of the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) also expressed hope.
US President Joe Biden during a visit to France emphasized that he'd continue working towards the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who's set to return to the region on Monday, urged the Hamas to accept the ceasefire proposal presented by Biden last week.
The Israeli army continued its attacks on Gaza Strip targets on Sunday. Doctors at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza reported the deaths of four members of a family during an airstrike on their house. Residents in central Gaza and the city of Rafah in the south of Gaza Strip also acknowledged new Israeli strikes.
The Gaza war started with a large-scale assault by Hamas on Israel on 7th October. According to Israeli figures, at least 251 people have been kidnapped and 1194 people were killed. 116 hostages are still being held by the Hamas, with 41 of them already dead, as per the Israeli army reports.
Since then, Israel has been waging a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. The health ministry run by Hamas, which can't be independently verified, claims more than 37,000 people have been killed in the operation. The humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory is described as catastrophic.
On Saturday, the United States resumed the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip after a halt due to storm damage. About 492 tons of aid were delivered to the local population, as per the US military.
The catalyst for the Gaza war was the significant attack on Israel by Hamas on 7th October, resulting in the killing of 1194 people and the abduction of 251 individuals to the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli estimates. 116 hostages are still held by Hamas, as per the Israeli military.
