Israel rescues 4 captives from Gaza, kills 210 Palestinians

Israel has conducted its largest rescue operation since the start of the recent conflict with Hamas, successfully freeing four hostages from central Gaza in an intense air and ground assault. The operation resulted in at least 210 Palestinian deaths, including children, according to a Gaza health official.

The four hostages—Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv—were rescued from the heart of Nuseirat. They were taken during the October 7 attack from a music festival by Hamas militants. The rescue mission involved simultaneous raids on two locations under heavy fire, and all four hostages were reported to be in good health. They were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and emotional reunions with their families.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the operation as “daring” and “extraordinary.” The rescue has been a significant boost for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

In response, Hamas officials condemned the Israeli operation, describing it as a massacre that killed 210 Palestinians and wounded over 400. The Gaza health ministry reported a total of 36,801 deaths since the conflict began, emphasizing the severe impact on civilians.

International reactions included condemnation from neighboring Egypt and Jordan, while the European Union called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. The U.S. also reiterated that their aid operations through a pier in Gaza were not involved in the rescue.

This successful operation adds to the complexities of the ongoing conflict, with over 120 hostages still held by Hamas, including women, children, and elderly individuals. The situation remains highly volatile as international pressure mounts for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid continues to be a critical need for Gaza’s population.