Israel’s military staged a daring operation in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, rescuing four hostages and leaving hundreds of Palestinians dead or wounded. The successful mission marked a significant political win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been facing pressure both domestically and internationally to end the nine-month-long war.
The hostages, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, and Noa Argamani, were rescued from two separate locations in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that all four were in good medical condition and were transferred to hospitals for examination.
The raid, which involved tanks in the streets and punishing airstrikes, was met with joy in Israel, where negotiations for a cease-fire with Hamas militants had stalled. The operation, the largest of its kind during the war, was a much-needed morale boost for the Israeli public.
However, the rescue mission also resulted in a high number of casualties among Palestinians, with 210 people reported dead and 400 wounded in Nuseirat. The operation drew criticism from Palestinian officials, who described it as a massacre.
Despite the success of the rescue mission, there are still 120 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. Israeli officials have vowed to continue fighting for their freedom, while Hamas has stated that the operation will not change its stance in the conflict.
The international community, including President Biden, has called for a cease-fire to end the violence in Gaza. The situation remains tense, with ongoing negotiations and pressure on both sides to reach a resolution to the long-standing conflict.