Operation Arnon: Israeli Forces Rescue Four Hostages from the Heart of Gaza
“We will continue to do everything in our power to bring back the 120 hostages still held in Gaza. We are determined to reach you as well, and the mission will not be complete until you return home," said IDF Spokesperson Hagary
Mandi Kogosowski
| 09/06/2024
Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov disembarking the military hospital after their rescue, Saturday
After eight months of war which seems to be going nowhere, thousands of casualties and bad news that hit daily on every front – from the physical borders to the diplomatic sphere – Israelis finally had a moment of pure joy yesterday, upon learning of the release from the heart of the Gaza Strip of four hostages in a heroic, complex military and special forces operation.
The four are Almog Meir Jan (22), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (41), and Noa Argamani (26) – who has become a global symbol following her kidnapping video, videos from captivity, and the heartbreaking story of her mother, who is dying of brain cancer. They were taken to the hospital where they have united with their families and loved ones. Physically, all four appear in good condition.
"The four were rescued in a joint rescue operation by the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Police. A daring daytime operation, during which they raided two different buildings in the heart of the Gaza Strip and rescued under fire the four hostages who were held by Hamas terrorists,” said IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to bring back the 120 hostages still held in Gaza. Know that we are determined to reach you as well, and the mission will not be complete until you return home."
About an hour before the official announcement, social media was already abuzz with endless rumors about the operation, which took place in the residential neighborhood of Nuseirat, in the central part of the Gaza Strip. Between 100-200 Palestinians were killed during the rescue operation. Hagari stated that he did not know how many of the casualties had direct links to terror. Yet, the hostages’ location serves as another tragic reminder of Hamas’ 30-year strategy of operating from within Gaza’s civilian population, using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields.
The rescue operation, which came to fruition after weeks of meticulous planning, involved hundreds of fighters from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police. It will be known as Operation Arnon – in honor of Yamam (special police force) officer, Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, who was critically wounded during the rescue of the three male hostages, and died hours later in the hospital. His death cast a cloud over the elated national mood - as did other sad news that came out this morning, that Almog Meir Jan's father had died unexpectedly just hours before his son was rescued.
Last night, Minister Benny Ganz was slated to deliver a public address, and it was estimated he would announce he is leaving the Netanyahu government. Following the hostage release Ganz announced he would postpone his address. Last night, tens of thousands of civilians took to the streets all over Israel for the weekly protest demanding the return of all hostages and the dismantling of the government.
Eight months after October 7th, 120 hostages, including 40+ bodies, are still held in the Gaza Strip.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to bring back the 120 hostages still held in Gaza. We are determined to reach you as well, and the mission will not be complete until you return home," said IDF Spokesperson Hagary
Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov disembarking the military hospital after their rescue, Saturday
After eight months of war which seems to be going nowhere, thousands of casualties and bad news that hit daily on every front – from the physical borders to the diplomatic sphere – Israelis finally had a moment of pure joy yesterday, upon learning of the release from the heart of the Gaza Strip of four hostages in a heroic, complex military and special forces operation.
The four are Almog Meir Jan (22), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (41), and Noa Argamani (26) – who has become a global symbol following her kidnapping video, videos from captivity, and the heartbreaking story of her mother, who is dying of brain cancer. They were taken to the hospital where they have united with their families and loved ones. Physically, all four appear in good condition.
"The four were rescued in a joint rescue operation by the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Police. A daring daytime operation, during which they raided two different buildings in the heart of the Gaza Strip and rescued under fire the four hostages who were held by Hamas terrorists,” said IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to bring back the 120 hostages still held in Gaza. Know that we are determined to reach you as well, and the mission will not be complete until you return home."
About an hour before the official announcement, social media was already abuzz with endless rumors about the operation, which took place in the residential neighborhood of Nuseirat, in the central part of the Gaza Strip. Between 100-200 Palestinians were killed during the rescue operation. Hagari stated that he did not know how many of the casualties had direct links to terror. Yet, the hostages’ location serves as another tragic reminder of Hamas’ 30-year strategy of operating from within Gaza’s civilian population, using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields.
The rescue operation, which came to fruition after weeks of meticulous planning, involved hundreds of fighters from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police. It will be known as Operation Arnon – in honor of Yamam (special police force) officer, Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, who was critically wounded during the rescue of the three male hostages, and died hours later in the hospital. His death cast a cloud over the elated national mood - as did other sad news that came out this morning, that Almog Meir Jan's father had died unexpectedly just hours before his son was rescued.
Last night, Minister Benny Ganz was slated to deliver a public address, and it was estimated he would announce he is leaving the Netanyahu government. Following the hostage release Ganz announced he would postpone his address. Last night, tens of thousands of civilians took to the streets all over Israel for the weekly protest demanding the return of all hostages and the dismantling of the government.
Eight months after October 7th, 120 hostages, including 40+ bodies, are still held in the Gaza Strip.
