June 9th 2024.
The situation in Deir Al-Balah was tense and chaotic as Israel carried out a daring rescue operation on Saturday. It was their largest operation since the recent conflict with Hamas began. The Israeli army successfully saved four hostages from central Gaza, amidst heavy air and ground attacks. Sadly, the rescue came at a high cost as at least 210 Palestinians, including children, lost their lives, according to a Gaza health official.
Despite the heavy toll, the Israelis were overjoyed when news broke that Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41, had been rescued. The four hostages were taken to safety by helicopter, where they received medical checks and tearfully reunited with their loved ones after being held captive for 246 days.
Argamani, who was one of the most well-known hostages, was abducted from a music festival along with the other three. The video of her abduction, where she could be heard screaming for her life, had caused widespread outrage. Her mother, who suffers from brain cancer, had also made an emotional plea to see her daughter again. It was reported that Argamani was taken to the hospital where her mother was being treated.
In a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argamani expressed her excitement at finally being free and hearing Hebrew after so long. Netanyahu, in a statement, promised to continue the fight until all hostages were brought home. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the operation, calling it daring, brilliantly planned, and executed with great precision.
As the bodies of 109 Palestinians, including 23 children and 11 women, were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the devastation of the rescue operation became evident. The hospital spokesperson reported that they had also received more than 100 wounded individuals. The total number of casualties was said to be 210, as confirmed by the director of Al-Awda Hospital. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called for an immediate end to the bloodshed.
The Israeli military, however, stated that their attack was in response to threats against their forces in the area. They also confirmed the death of one commando during the operation. According to military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, they had received intelligence about the hostages being held in two apartments in the Nuseirat camp. The forces had trained extensively for this operation, and they believed that a simultaneous attack on both locations would give them the element of surprise. However, they were met with heavy fire, including rocket-propelled grenades, as they attempted to rescue the hostages.
The US also played a significant role in the operation, with a hostage cell providing support and guidance throughout the process. It was reported that Hamas had taken 250 hostages during the attack in October, and only half were released in a previous cease-fire. The remaining hostages included women, young children, and elderly individuals.
The successful rescue of the four hostages was a ray of hope for many in Israel, but it also highlighted the deep divisions within the country. While some urged Netanyahu to accept a cease-fire deal proposed by US President Joe Biden, others threatened to bring down the government if he did. Netanyahu himself visited the hospital to meet the freed hostages and their families, but thousands of Israelis gathered for an anti-government protest, calling for an end to the war.
It is uncertain how this rescue operation will affect the ongoing cease-fire efforts, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to return to the Middle East next week for further negotiations. National security adviser Jake Sullivan believes that a deal is possible, one that would secure the release of all remaining hostages and provide security assurances for Israel while also bringing relief to the innocent civilians in Gaza.
As the international community continues to put pressure on Israel to limit civilian casualties and provide aid to the affected areas, the situation in Gaza remains dire. The conflict has been ongoing for eight months, with more than 36,700 Palestinians killed and widespread hunger due to limited aid and resources. While the successful rescue of the four hostages brought a glimmer of hope, the larger issue of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict remains a challenge.
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