The rescuing of Israeli hostages is undisputedly a positive event. The death of Palestinians, however, should be viewed as an undisputed tragedy.
The successful rescue of the hostages is indeed a positive outcome, but it can't be celebrated without acknowledging the terrible price that was paid. The incident unfolded in a residential area where two buildings were under siege. The hostages were trapped in one apartment, leading to gunfights that erupted upon their extraction. The evacuation process involved transporting them by helicopter to the Mediterranean coast. However, the operation was accompanied by heavy gunfire, artillery missiles, and rockets, according to a local resident, leading to a high civilian casualty count.
While the four Israeli hostages, Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, thankfully returned home safely, there were significant casualties among Palestinians. The Gazan Health Ministry is reporting 274 deaths, while the Israeli military claims it was under 100. Unfortunately, the true number of civilian deaths remains unclear, with no official breakdown available of the number of militant casualties versus civilians.
The tragic circumstances highlight the disregard Hamas has for the lives of Palestinians, as exemplified by their leader's previous statements that civilian deaths in earlier wars were "necessary sacrifices." As a result, this rescue mission also became one of the deadliest events in this war, resulting in several fatalities and injuries. It's debatable whether this situation could've been averted with a timely ceasefire and a hostage-exchange deal, which have failed due to the opposition of both sides.
In the recent past, Israel has ignored proposed ceasefire agreements that would've freed various captives, causing tremendous distress among the affected families. They have even taken to the streets in protest. When the four hostages were rescued, it marked a triumph for Israel, but with a significant asterisk - the immense number of innocent lives lost in this conflict. Israel's aggressive approach to the conflict has led to death, destruction, terror, and hunger for thousands of defenceless Palestinians who've merely been born in Gaza.
Some individuals completely disregard the suffering inflicted on Palestinians, justifying the high death toll as a natural part of war or seeing it as a deserved consequence for civilian involvement. Meanwhile, others downplay the conditions of Israeli hostages, dismissing Hamas's methods of using civilians as human shields.
It's possible to recognize multiple truths simultaneously: hostage-taking is a war crime, Hamas' actions on Oct. 7 were horrific and destructive. Israel's relentless response has caused immense heartache for countless innocent people. It's essential to remember that the families of Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, despite not being at the top of the hostage exchange list, still profusely love their sons. Had their fates been different, it would've been equally devastating for their relatives, friends, and communities.
Twenty-two-year-old Meir's father died just before his son's return, leaving eight months of sleepless nights for his sister, Noa Argamani. Upon Meir's return, Orit, his mother, described her first night of undisturbed sleep in months but emphasised her continued worry for the remaining captives, urging her country to make a deal for their release. Meanwhile, Andrey Kozlov, aged 27, became emotional and wept in the presence of his mother, having left Russia only a year earlier. Shlomi Ziv, 41, praised the efforts of the rescue team but reflected on the dual realities of the situation, observing Arabic prayers and Quran readings in captivity, only to learn about the deceased friends he had been with at the music festival. His cousin, Liat Ariel, similarly pressed for the return of the remaining hostages.
“This is a complicated moment. The rescue of the Israeli hostages is undeniably a positive outcome, but it comes with its own drawbacks. Many innocents have endured devastation in this war. Ultimately, we cannot forget the families of the 120 captives left behind,” said Ariel.
Noa Argamani, age 26, has been a well-known Israeli captive in Gaza following the widespread distribution of a video depicting her kidnapping on social media. Her family called for her release as Liora Argamani, 61, fought against brain cancer. "I want to see her one more time. Talk to her one more time," Liora said. "I don't have much time left in this world."
Fortunately, Noa was able to meet her mother. However, Liora's condition has significantly worsened. "I think she understood what was happening," said Yaakov Argamani, Noa's father. "There was a hazy reaction, but Liora is in a bad way and barely looked at Noa." Avinatan Or, Noa's partner, was also kidnapped from the Nova festival and is still being held in Gaza.
It's important to remember that these individuals are not just "hostages" or symbols representing a greater cause, but real people with promising futures. The same applies to the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who have been injured, killed, displaced, and traumatized during this conflict - many of whose names will never be known publicly, and whose faces we may never see. They, too, are not just "casualties," "civilians," or "collateral damage," but individuals whose lives and futures have been violently taken away.
The human capacity to empathize and care about numerous individuals and injustices is limitless. The tragic wars, like the one between Israel and Hamas, can be a difficult test of our humanity. Perhaps we could learn from the families of the hostages and advocates for less brutality, less violence, and a peaceful long-term resolution to this appalling war.
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The discussion surrounding the rescue operation cannot overlook the significant loss of life among Palestinians. Different opinions emerge on this matter, with some viewing the civilian casualties as an unfortunate byproduct of war, while others see it as a consequence of questionable tactics.
Given the complexities and emotions involved, it's imperative to approach this topic with understanding and empathy, recognizing that every life lost in this conflict is a tragedy, regardless of nationality or affiliation.
