All articles tagged with #hostage rescue
Luis Har, a hostage rescued by the IDF from Gaza, described his 129-day captivity under Hamas as being treated like animals, surviving on scraps of pita bread and sleeping on thin mattresses. He and his family were taken at gunpoint into a tunnel network and moved between apartments. Har's rescue involved a dramatic IDF operation amid gunfire, and he and his family were reunited in Israel.
Fernando Marman and Luis Har, who were held captive by Hamas for 129 days, have been rescued in a daring operation. The details of their captivity remain largely unknown, but they have been transferred to a hospital in central Israel for recovery. Despite their escape, many aspects of their ordeal and the negotiations for their release remain undisclosed. The rescue operation was a joint effort by the Shin Bet Israel Security Agency, the IDF, and Israeli police units, and the hostages are now receiving medical care as they begin the process of recovery.
The recent successful rescue operation of two hostages from a refugee camp in Rafah has weakened Hamas' perceived ability to safeguard its captives and may lead to concerns among families entrusted with hostages, potentially prompting some to consider transferring them to prevent harm. The operation, carried out by the Yamam and Shin Bet forces, also highlights the IDF's access to high-quality intelligence on Hamas and the hostages, signaling a weakened Hamas organization. However, with 134 hostages still held by Hamas, the road ahead remains challenging, and true victory will only be achieved when all hostages are safely returned.
An Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza, as part of a hostage rescue operation wiped out an entire Palestinian family, killing at least 74 people, including 27 children and 22 women. The Hasouna family, who had fled their home in northern Gaza to escape fighting, were among the casualties. The airstrikes targeted residential areas, causing widespread destruction and raising fears of further bloodshed as Israel continues its campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli forces launch airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, as two hostages thank Israeli security forces for their rescue, Egypt increases security at its border with Gaza, a US-funded shipment of flour for Gaza is held at an Israeli port, Israeli military has video of top Hamas leader in Gaza, and hostage and ceasefire talks in Cairo enter a critical 24-hour stretch with mounting international concern over the fate of civilians in southern Gaza's Rafah.
France presents a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, while the IDF strikes the Aleppo airport and continues operations in Gaza. Hostages are rescued from Gaza, but concerns arise over lack of medical treatment. The White House expresses support for the rescue operation and ongoing negotiations for a new hostage agreement. Humanitarian aid efforts face challenges, and tensions persist in the Northern Front and Judea and Samaria. International developments include a Dutch court ordering a halt to the export of F-35 aircraft parts to Israel, and the approval of the Al Jazeera law in Israel.
Israel faces international pressure over plans for a military assault on Rafah in southern Gaza following a hostage rescue operation that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. Foreign secretaries and diplomats are urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider the offensive, expressing concerns about the humanitarian impact and civilian casualties. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, criticized Netanyahu's response and urged restraint, while the White House advised against the military operation without a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians. Additionally, a court in the Netherlands ordered the halt of F-35 fighter jet parts export to Israel due to concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Israeli forces conducted a raid in Rafah, Gaza, rescuing two Israeli-Argentine hostages held captive by Hamas. The hostages, Louis Har and Fernando Marman, were kidnapped in October during a Hamas attack on a kibbutz. The raid involved intense strikes, resulting in dozens of casualties, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Israel's military described the operation as a "complex rescue under fire," with one soldier lightly wounded. Palestinians reported heavy gunfire and widespread destruction in the area, with at least 67 people killed and many more injured. Hamas condemned the attack as part of Israel's "genocidal war," while the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry denounced it as a "massacre."
Israeli forces conducted a wave of attacks in Rafah to rescue two hostages held by Hamas, resulting in dozens of Palestinian casualties. The planned ground invasion of Rafah has raised concerns about civilian safety and strained relations with Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Hamas's ceasefire offers and is working on a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah. King Abdullah of Jordan is set to meet with President Biden to discuss efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli forces conducted a dramatic raid in the Gaza Strip to rescue two hostages, resulting in the deaths of at least 67 Palestinians. The hostages, Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, were extracted under heavy fire and taken to safety. The operation, celebrated in Israel, is a small victory in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, but has led to further civilian casualties in Gaza. The rescue highlights the ongoing battle to free remaining captives and the differing opinions within Israel on the best approach to end the crisis. The raid has raised concerns about a potential ground offensive in Rafah, with President Biden urging Israel to exercise caution, and negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release are underway.
The Israeli military conducted a special operation to rescue two hostages, Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, who were captured 128 days ago during a Hamas attack. The hostages are in good medical condition and have been transferred to a medical center. The rescue operation was hailed by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and comes amid Israeli attacks on Rafah, where more than 60 people have been killed. International concern is growing over an anticipated ground assault on Rafah, with the city's residents having no remaining escape route.
The Shin Bet, IDF, and special police forces successfully rescued two Argentinian hostages, Fernando Herman and Louis Norbeto, from Hamas in Rafah. The operation involved airstrikes against Hamas's Shabura battalion to conceal the true goal of the mission. The hostages, aged 61 and 70, were freed using explosives, heavy fire, and precise intelligence, with one soldier sustaining minor injuries. The rescued hostages were brought to Shiba Hospital and are reported to be in good condition.
Israel returned dozens of bodies to Gaza, believed to be Palestinians killed during conflict with Hamas militants. The bodies, in various states of decomposition, were delivered in body bags by an Israeli container truck to the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Families searched through the bodies for their missing loved ones, with one man frantically looking for his son who was killed in a bombing. Israeli officials have not confirmed whether the bodies are those of hostages, but have stated their commitment to finding all hostages and returning any bodies still held in Gaza.
Former Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel claimed that Hamas terrorists are dressing female captives as "dolls" and subjecting them to sexual abuse, while the father of an 18-year-old hostage fears for his daughter's safety. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Hamas offer to release remaining hostages in exchange for a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as about 132 Israelis still remain in captivity.
The Israeli Defense Forces have successfully dismantled Hamas' military capabilities in northern Gaza, focusing on eliminating Hamas commanders, destroying weapons and underground infrastructure, and collecting intelligence. The war is entering a less intense phase in northern Gaza, with a shift towards raids, airstrikes, and special operations, while the focus in the south is on eliminating Hamas leadership and freeing hostages. Efforts to disable Hamas' leadership, including the killing of Saleh Al-Arouri, are part of Israel's strategy, with hopes of rescuing hostages. The war is expected to continue throughout 2024, with ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas' military capabilities in central and southern Gaza, while concerns about Hezbollah's shelling of northern Israel persist.