Israel Rescues 4 Hostages Alive From Central Gaza

Jerusalem: At least four Israeli hostages, who were captured by Hamas from the Nova music festival in the month of October last year, were rescued alive by the Israeli troops from the captivity in a daring operation in the central Gaza Strip earlier on Saturday. In a joint statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) and the Israel Police confirmed the operation, saying, "The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and 'Yamam' forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat.”

According to the statement issued, the rescued hostages have been identified as Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40). All four had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the Supernova music festival near the southern community of Re’im.

Israel Defence Forces Spokesperson Released Images of Rescued Hostages

“Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations. We will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home,” the IDF stated. 

The defence troops claimed that the rescued hostages were in good medical condition and were transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. It said, "The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home."

The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters - a volunteer-based organisation set up to help bring hostages home - called the recovery of the four hostages "a miraculous triumph," and called on Israel's government to bring home those still being held.

Reports claimed that the special forces had simultaneously raided two Hamas sites in central Gaza’s Nuseirat. At one location, Argamani was rescued, while Meir Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv were at the second location.

Around 250 People Were Held Hostage by Hamas on October 7

In their statement, the defence forces said, "The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial.”

"We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far," the statement read.

The rescue operation was considered to be the largest such recovery since the war with Hamas began on October 7. Around 1,200 people were killed in southern Israeli communities during the Hamas attack and around 250 people were taken hostage.

More than 100 hostages were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.