Killing 210 Palestinians to Save Four Israelis
On October 7, Hamas attacked the Nova Music Festival and took over 250 Israelis hostage. Recently, the Israeli military reported that four of these hostages were rescued during an operation in central Gaza.
On Saturday, Israeli forces conducted a joint air, land, and sea operation in several locations across Rafah, central, and northern Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 210 Palestinians were killed and many others were injured in the operation.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the rescued hostages as Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrei Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ze'ev (40).
This rare hostage rescue occurred eight months into the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. On October 7 of last year, Hamas attacked the music festival near the Gaza border and other areas in southern Israel, taking 251 people hostage. According to the IDF, 116 hostages remain in Palestinian territory, and 41 have been killed. Among the abducted was Noa Argamani, an Israeli citizen of Chinese descent.
In November, Hamas agreed to a week-long ceasefire, releasing 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The IDF stated that the hostages were rescued from two separate locations in Nuseirat, central Gaza, in a joint operation with the Israel Security Agency and the Israeli police.
The IDF reported that the rescued individuals are in good health but have been transferred to Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center for further medical examinations.
The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas governance, reported that the operation resulted in the deaths of at least 210 people, including children, and many others were injured. Medical staff at Al-Aqsa Hospital are struggling to treat the wounded.
A post on the Ministry's Facebook page stated, "Several injured people are lying on the ground, and doctors are trying to save them with their limited medical capabilities."
The Hostage Family Forum, representing the families of Israeli hostages, called the rescue of the four hostages a "miraculous victory" and thanked the IDF for the "heroic operation."
The group emphasized, "The Israeli government must remember its commitment to bringing back the 120 hostages still held by Hamas."
In response to the military operation in Nuseirat, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said, "Israel will not be able to impose its will on Hamas. Hamas will not agree to a ceasefire until the security of Palestinians is achieved."
Sources: BBC and Al Jazeera.
