Israeli forces successfully conducted a special overnight operation in the city of Rafah, located in southern Gaza, to rescue two hostages who had been held captive by Hamas for 128 days. The hostages, 60-year-old Fernando Simon Marman and 70-year-old Louis Har, were taken during an attack on Israel by Hamas. Both hostages were reported to be in good medical condition and were transferred to Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the joint operation involving the Israeli Security Agency and Israel Police included a covert extraction under fire, followed by aerial strikes. The hostages were escorted out under fire from Hamas forces and then airlifted out of Gaza by helicopter. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the operation as “impressive” and confirmed that both hostages had been kidnapped from the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz.
The hostage rescue operation occurred amid a backdrop of intensified Israeli attacks on Rafah. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that more than 100 people were killed in overnight airstrikes, with the number expected to rise as more people are still trapped under rubble. The attacks targeted mosques and homes in the area, drawing condemnation from Hamas, which described the strikes as “forced displacement attempts” and “horrific massacres against defenseless civilians and displaced children, women, and the elderly.”
As tensions escalate, international concern is growing over the potential for a ground assault on Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism for the plans, asserting that calls not to enter Rafah are akin to telling Israel to lose the war. The city, which borders Egypt and is home to more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians, has become a last refuge as other escape routes have been closed for months.
The escalating conflict has raised alarms globally, with leaders, including US President Joe Biden, discussing options to secure the release of hostages and ensure the safety of civilians in Rafah. Amid the ongoing violence, the impact on civilian populations and the potential for further humanitarian crises remain key focal points for international observers.