Israeli forces rescued two Israeli-Argentine hostages in an overnight mission in Gaza more than four months after they were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the group’s deadly incursion into Israel, officials announced late Sunday.
The two men – identified as Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70 – were released from custody after Israeli forces stormed a residential building in Rafah in which at least seven people were also killed.
The two men, two Argentinian-Israeli nationals, were kidnapped and taken to Gaza from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak along with other loved ones during a Hamas attack on October 7, which led to the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. The men were the second and third hostages rescued by the Jewish state.
Marman and Har, who are brothers-in-law, are both in good health, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said during the briefing that the rescue depended on “accurate intelligence” and that the site where the hostages were being held – on the second floor of the building – had been under surveillance for “a long time”.
An Israeli Air Force helicopter is seen carrying two freed hostages, at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Feb. 12. 2024. AP
“It’s a very complex operation,” Hecht said. “We have been working on this operation for a long time. We are waiting for the right conditions.”
The hostages were successfully captured after explosives breached the building during a shootout with the surrounding buildings and several airstrikes were carried out.
Israeli planes, tanks and ships all took part in the attack that hit two mosques and several houses, residents told Reuters.
This image provided by the Missing Hostage and Family Forum shows Louis Har. AP
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined the country’s army chief and other high-ranking officials during the operation.
Har’s daughters are “thrilled” about their father’s rescue, former assemblyman Dov Hikind told The Post late Sunday.
A daughter, Rinat Har, spoke to Hikind following the good news.
This image provided by the Missing Hostage and Family Forum shows Fernando Simon Marman. AP
“She was on top of the world, just crying on the phone, really crying,” Hikind said in an interview. “I have never heard his voice so good. Every time, you feel pain in every conversation.
The two families became close after Rinat and his sister Natali stayed with the ex-cop and his wife at their Long Island home in November while visiting the US to raise awareness for hostages.
The two brothers, who are also Marman’s nephews, have been in a lot of pain for the past four months.
Palestinians walk by a residential building destroyed in an Israeli attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on February 11, 2024. AP
“Every moment is absolute hell,” Hikind recalled Rinat telling him. “It’s a living hell for them.”
About 250 Israelis were arrested by Hamas terrorists following their cross-border attacks last year. About 1,200 people were killed during the sneak attack.
More than 100 hostages — including Har’s partner and Marman’s sister Clara Marman, their other sister Gabriela Leimberg and niece Mia Leimberg — were released by Hamas during a week-long ceasefire in November.
But Israeli officials estimate about 100 hostages remain in Gaza. Hamas is also holding the bodies of about 30 others who were either killed on October 7 or died in custody.
Since Israel launched its counteroffensive in Gaza, its forces have killed 28,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the territory.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
