THEY’RE HOME! IDF rescues four Gaza hostages: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv
Hostages rescued alive after eight months in captivity in a daring operation in the central Gaza Strip, amid intensive air strikes
Four Israeli hostages were rescued alive by troops from Hamas captivity in a daring operation in the central Gaza Strip earlier today.
The rescued hostages are Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv.
All four had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the Supernova music festival near the southern community of Re’im.
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.
The rescued hostages are all in good condition, according to initial medical assessments. They were taken to Tel Hashomer Hospital for further evaluation
Amid the operation, heavy airstrikes were carried out in the area against Hamas sites and in support of the ground troops. Hamas health authorities reported a “large number” of casualties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This operation required courage and ingenuity of the highest degree. If Hamas does not release the rest of the hostages we will do what we need to to bring them home in the most valiant and moral way. We shall prevail.”
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says the country is “overjoyed” at the rescue of the hostages.
“IDF, ISA and Special Forces conducted a complex, heroic operation to rescue four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and brought them home to Israel. We will keep fighting until 120 hostages are home,” Gallant wrote on X.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote: “Noa, Shlomi, Almog and Andrey. We waited for you, and we are still waiting for everyone. Everyone. Much appreciation for the security forces for a bold and brave operation, in the most important mission of bringing the hostages home. A great light in the terrible darkness,” Lapid adds.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum thanked the IDF on its “heroic operation”.
“Now, with the enormous joy all 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,” the forum writes in a post on X.
“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.”
Almog Meir Jan, 21, was released from army service three months before his capture. He was taken from the Nova party.
Andrey Kozlov, 27, was working as a security guard at the rave when he was captured. He is a new immigrant to Israel, having moved here about a year and a half ago.
Shlomi Ziv, 40, was also working as part of the security detail at the desert party. He was a friend of Jake Marlowe, 26, the British citizen who was murdered at the Nova music festival.
Four Israeli hostages were rescued alive from Hamas captivity Saturday in a daring daylight operation in the central Gaza Strip, the military announced.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, had been abducted from the Supernova music festival near the community of Re’im on the morning of October 7, when some 3,000 Hamas-led terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in a murderous rampage in southern Israel.
Officers of police’s elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, along with Shin Bet agents, simultaneously raided two Hamas buildings in the heart of central Gaza’s Nuseirat, a joint statement said. Argamani was rescued at one site, while Meir Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv were at the second location.
Hundreds of soldiers took part in the operation, according to the military.
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the hostages were rescued by special forces while “under fire.” A Yamam officer was critically wounded in the operation and brought to an Israeli hospital, but died shortly after. He was named as Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora.
The doctor from Sheba Hospital in Tel Aviv who tended to the four rescued hostages said: “The team at Sheba has been prepared for this moment. The four were united here with their family members. They were very emotional moments. I am happy to report they are in stable condition and we will keep an eye on them until they return to their daily lives. We are ready for these types of surprises and pray for the return of those still in captivity and look forward to their return.”
The Biden administration praised the action. “We commend the work of the Israeli security services that conducted this daring operation,” Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, said in a statement.
The release came just hours before Benny Gantz, a member of the war Cabinet and rival to Netanyahu, was set to address the nation in what Israeli media said was likely to be his announcement that he was pulling out of the government, in part because Netanyahu has failed to end the war and release the hostages. Some 120 people remain captive.
The terrorist-run Gaza Health Ministry claims 94 Gazans were killed around the Nuseirat region around the time of the hostage rescues.
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