What a joy to share good news: The rescue from captivity of four hostages.
Those rescued were Noa Argamani (25), Shlomi Ziv (40), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), all of whom had been abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attack on the Nova music festival.
They were brought out of Gaza by helicopters.
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The operation was carried out by the IDF, working alongside Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet (Israeli security). Weeks in the planning, it was an exceedingly complex operation that involved drills utilizing street models, high level coordination (including with the Air Force) and contingency plans.
Three brigades were involved: the 7th Armored Brigade, the Paratroopers Brigade and the Kfir Brigade, in collaboration with Shayetet 13 and other special forces.
Israeli journalist Ron Ben-Yishai called it a “near perfect” operation, involving “precise intelligence, meticulous planning and execution and quick and professional action.”
It was carried out in broad daylight.
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Along with all of the other forces involved in this rescue was the elite Yamam National Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Border Police. Yamam Squad Commander Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, 36, was leading the force that rescued the men when he was critically shot. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
He is being hailed for his bravery, which helped make the mission a success. He is survived by his wife and two children.
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The four were all rescued from Nuseirat (a “refugee camp”), in central Gaza, in a civilian area. The three men were being held in one apartment and the woman, Noa, in another very close by – Hamas moved them frequently. It was understood that the operation had to involve simultaneous rescue from both apartments, to avoid the possibility of Hamas immediately murdering those who had not been saved.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu released a statement: The entire nation salutes the brave fighters who risked their lives today to save lives. Once again, you have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with creativity and courage that knows no bounds to bring home the hostages.
“We are committed to doing so in the future as well. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return all of the hostages home— both the living and the dead,”
https://www.jns.org/israeli-forces-rescue-four-hostages-from-gaza/
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The rescued hostages were taken to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer – where they were pronounced in stable condition and excellent spirits – and reunited with family. Here we see Noa Argamani with her father.
Noa’s story is especially moving: Her mother, Liora, is hospitalized with terminal brain cancer. She had said her last wish was to see her daughter. Today Noa was reunited with her mother at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
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One important note here. Already I am picking up from international sources charges that the IDF killed hundreds of civilians in Nuseirat in order to rescue the hostages. We should expect nothing less, I suppose. But to set the record straight:
According to IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari the operation was conducted under heavy fire.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1ay00jfrc
Here we have a step-by-step description of what transpired (emphasis added):
There was a firefight when Commander Zamora’s team attempted to extricate the three male hostages. This is when Zamora was wounded. The team sought to evacuate him, along with the hostages, under heavy fire.
“…dozens of terrorists gather around the building where the three hostages were held, with hundreds more armed with RPGs, PK machine gun, and AK-47 rifles approaching from all directions. They navigate through the narrow alleys and the nearby market, crowded with thousands of Gazans.
“11:22 AM: The [Israeli] forces attempt to escape in the rescue vehicle, but it is hit by heavy fire and begins to falter. In response, Southern Command chief Yaron Finkelman activates a pre-planned extraction strategy.
“11:25 AM: Air Force fighter jets and helicopters fire dozens of munitions at the terrorists to isolate the area. Hundreds of reinforcements from the 7th Armored Brigade, Paratroopers, Givati and Kfir brigades, mobilized as backup, are deployed on foot, in tanks and Namer APCs into the refugee camp, with Navy vessels providing cover from the west.
“11:30 AM: Reinforcement troops and the Air Force successfully isolate the main combat zone, securing a safe escape route for the main force with the three hostages. In a rare move, Southern Command authorizes Air Force Sikorsky helicopters to land deep within the Gaza Strip for extraction, under the cover of fighter jet fire. Aerial strikes target terrorists just a few dozen yards away from the soldiers.”
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1dusnghr
An absolutely amazing operation.
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This operation has significantly buoyed spirits here in Israel.
It puts a lie to the claim – advanced most vigorously by the US – that the only way to bring out hostages is if there is a deal for a ceasefire with Hamas.
I would hope that it also demonstrates to families of those still held hostage that they have not been abandoned.
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The Biden administration does not give up, however, in pushing Israel to accept a ceasefire deal. Blinken is due here again this week to discuss the issue. How lucky can we get?
Recently, Biden said the only reason he wants to see this succeed is because of his concern for the hostages. But to anyone looking carefully at what is going on, it is clearly, transparently, the case that he is seeking to save Hamas from defeat.
The entire situation is replete with misrepresentation of the facts and a good deal of finagling.
Last week the Americans submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council calling for Israel and Hamas to immediately accept a ceasefire deal.
Israel is protesting that what Biden submitted to the UN does not match the Israeli offer.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/391198
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At this point, Hamas has refused the latest “plan” for a ceasefire. Although it is not entirely clear whether this refusal is official, it makes the Hamas position, which has not changed, very clear. It also makes Biden’s meddling clear. My own suspicion at this point is that Hamas has officially notified the US that it will not accept this deal, but US officials, still hoping to make it happen (by getting Israel to back down), are not accepting that Hamas refusal as the last word.
“Saudi Arabian news source A-Sharq reported on Thursday that Hamas has rejected the Israeli proposal for a deal to release the hostages and put a ceasefire in place, according to KAN.
“Hamas officials claim that the proposal put forth by Israel was ‘fundamentally different than the proposal presented by President of the United States Joe Biden, and does not guarantee [anything more than] a temporary ceasefire.’”
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-805178?dicbo=v2-5wG9Pf7
And so, what Blinken will do this week is attempt to convince Netanyahu to accept the Biden version of the deal.
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Keep praying to Heaven for Israel. Pray that the tears might be lifted from our hearts.
Pray for the strength and wisdom of our leaders, for the safety of our soldiers, and for the rescue of our hostages.
Pray in a spirit of hope.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
