In a military raid in Gaza on Saturday, Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October that killed around 200 people, according to Palestinian officials. The operation took place at Nuseirat, a densely populated camp where the military claims Hamas had been hiding the hostages in two separate apartment blocks. The hostages were identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, who were all kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival during the Hamas-led raids on October 7. The IDF also claims that the hostages were in good medical condition and would be transferred to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Center.
The Israeli Operation
According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, Israel’s forces came under intense fire during the assault, which caused them to respond by firing from “the air and the street”. However, he provides no immediate proof for these statements. He claims that they had to enter civilian areas as this was where Hamas had embedded itself. He says, “We know about under 100 (Palestinian) casualties. I don’t know how many of them are terrorists.” A police report states that an Israeli special forces commander was also killed during the operation.
Abu Ulbaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed al-Qassam Brigades claims that some hostages were also killed during the operation, which ISraeli forces deny.
The Hostages were also welcomed by President Joe Biden, who vowed to work until all hostages were brought back and a ceasefire deal was reached.
The Scenes in Gaza
In Gaza, the picture was devastatingly different. According to Palestinian Health Ministry officials and local medics, the event killed scores of people. However, the ministry failed to distinguish between civilians and combatants.Ziad, a paramedic and resident of Nuseirat, says “It was like a horror movie but this was a real massacre. Israeli drones and warplanes fired all night randomly at people’s houses and at people who tried to flee the area.”
The other residents that witnessed the assault were subject to the sight of multiple bodies lying on the street, as emergency response teams sought to transport the dead and wounded to two hospitals, Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah and Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat.
“Our people will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend our rights in the face of this criminal enemy.”, says Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s leader.
Nuseirat, a historic Palestinian Refugee Camp, has been subject to heavy Israeli attacks following their continued offensive.
While the hostages have been rescued, there are several others that are still in custody. Thousands of demonstrators gathered all over Israel calling on the government to secure a ceasefire deal to free the remaining hostages. Many also want Netanyahu’s government to step down, and are calling for new elections.
