Amid early Monday airstrikes that left scores wounded and 37 dead in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Israel launched a special forces operation that released two Israeli prisoners in Rafah, according to local health authorities. “Two Israeli hostages rescued during an overnight mission in Rafah,” the Israel Defense Force stated in a statement on X, previously Twitter. Two Israeli captives from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, Bruno Har (70) and Fernando Simon Marman (60), were freed after a coordinated operation by the Israel Police, ISA, and IDF.
It stated, “They were transferred for additional medical examination in Israel and are both in good medical condition.” However, Israeli military spokesman Lt Co. Richard Hecht described a complex operation involving hostages held in Rafah. The raid involved heavy gunfire with surrounding buildings, leading to an air strike to extract forces. The air strikes caused widespread panic in Rafah, as many people were asleep when the strikes began. Israeli planes, tanks, and ships participated in the strikes, causing damage to two mosques and several houses. The air strikes were carried out to allow the forces to be extracted.
Israel releases two captives in Rafah as an airstrike is taking place
The men are described as being in “good medical condition” by the Israeli military. The Palestine Red Crescent Society had already claimed that Rafah was being attacked.
There are almost 1.5 million individuals seeking refuge in the city. It comes after the world community issued warnings about Israel’s intended attack in that region.
Following reports of strikes in southern Gaza, Israel claimed responsibility for scores of deaths, according to the health ministry administered by Hamas. In the city, witnesses reported hearing airstrikes during the night on Rafah’s north and center.
According to locals who spoke with the BBC, the raid reportedly featured boats and helicopters. Different claims have been made about the number of victims.
The AFP news agency, citing the health ministry administered by Hamas in Gaza, stated that “around 100 people” had died.
At least 50 Palestinians were reportedly murdered, according to the Associated Press, which quoted local hospital officials. Besides, “Two Israeli hostages from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak were rescued: Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70)” following an overnight “joint operation between the IDF, ISA [Israel Security Agency or Shin Bet], and Israel Police,” according to a social media announcement from the Israel Defense Forces IDF.
The freed captives were brought for examinations at the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel. According to the IDF, they were taken hostage by Hamas from Israel’s Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak during the cross-border assault on October 7 that started the conflict. Israel claims that both of the guys are nationals of Argentina.
Israel hits Rafah prior to the call for a Gaza truce
Israeli forces have reported deadly strikes in the overcrowded Gaza border town of Rafah, a “pressure cooker of despair” by the UN. The UN has dubbed Rafah a “pressure cooker of despair.” Syria’s foreign ministry condemned US air strikes against over 85 targets in Syria and Iraq linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and militias. Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 27,238 people and wounded 66,452 since October 7. Israeli officials claim 1,140 people were killed in Hamas-led attacks.
However, Israel has targeted over 3,400 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon since the war against Hamas in Gaza began in October. Over 200 terrorists and commanders have been killed, including 120 border surveillance outposts, 40 missile caches, and over 40 command centers. Israel deployed three army divisions along its side of the Lebanese border in anticipation of Hezbollah involvement. Also ,The Israeli military has struck over 50 targets in Syria linked to Hezbollah since the Gaza war began on October 7. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Israel will take action wherever Hezbollah is in the Middle East, a departure from Israel’s usual reticence about its operations in Syria.
