On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a successful rescue operation, liberating four hostages who had been held captive by Hamas for 246 days. The hostages, three men and one woman, were identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv, and Andrey Kozlov.
On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a daring rescue operation, liberating four hostages who had been held captive by Hamas for 246 days. The hostages, three men and one woman, were identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv, and Andrey Kozlov.
The hostages were abducted during the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. They had been held in captivity by the terrorist group since then, and their whereabouts were unknown. The IDF had been preparing for this rescue mission for weeks, and their efforts culminated in the successful operation on Thursday.
The hostages were rescued in two separate locations in a complex special daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza. Officers of the National Police special anti-terror unit of Yamam along with Shin Bet agents simultaneously raided two Hamas buildings to pluck the hostages to safety.
During the operation, Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora, an officer in the special anti-terror unit of Yamam, was critically injured and later died from his injuries.
Despite the risks, the IDF forces managed to rescue the hostages and bring them back to Israel. The hostages were taken to hospital for medical examination and will soon be reunited with their families.
"Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi - we are overjoyed to have you home," Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said in a statement. "Our troops conducted a heroic operation to rescue four hostages held by Hamas, and brought them home to Israel."
The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters welcomed the news and praised the Israeli government.
"The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph," a statement by the group reads.
The IDF's successful rescue operation is a testament to the determination and skill of the Israeli forces. It is also a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region.
Noa Argamani is from Be'er Sheva and was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or, who remains in Hamas captivity. She is a yoga and art enthusiast who enjoys hiking and was studying information systems management at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev at the time of her kidnapping.
Almog Meir Jan is from Or Yehuda and was expected to start a job at a large high-tech company the day after the terrorist attack.
Shlomi Ziv, of Moshav Elkosh, was working as a security guard on Oct. 7. Ziv and his wife Miren have been living in the Moshav for about 17 years.
Andrey Kozlov, is from Rishon LeZion and was also working as a security guard on the day. Kozlov is a recent immigrant to Israel, having made aliyah by himself, without his family, about a year and a half ago. Aliyah is "the act of going up" towards the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem.
The United States has praised the Israeli government for its successful rescue operation.
"The United States commends the Government of Israel for the successful rescue of four Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas since October 7," the US State Department said in a statement. "This operation demonstrates Israel's commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens."
The United Nations has also welcomed the news of the hostages' release.
"The United Nations welcomes the release of the four Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas since October 7," the UN said in a statement. "This is a positive development and we hope that it will contribute to the de-escalation of tensions in the region."
