Israel carried out a special forces mission that liberated two Israeli captives in Rafah amidst early Monday air strikes, which resulted in 37 casualties and numerous injuries, according to local health authorities in the southern Gaza city.
The Israeli military, in collaboration with the Israel Defence Force (IDF), the domestic Shin Bet security service, and the Special Police Unit in Rafah, successfully rescued Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Hare, 70.
When were the hostages abducted and where were they held?
The two individuals, abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, were found to be in good condition and were transferred to the Tel Hashomer Medical Complex, as confirmed by the military.
“It was a very complex operation…We’ve been working a long time on this operation. We were waiting for the right conditions,” Israeli military spokesman Lt Col. Richard Hecht said.
According to Hecht, the hostages were held on the second floor of a building, which was breached using an explosive charge during the raid. The operation involved intense gunfire exchanges with surrounding structures.
Simultaneously, an airstrike was executed to facilitate the extraction of the forces, he added.
Israeli airstrikes in Rafah
The Israeli airstrikes induced widespread panic in Rafah, with many residents caught unaware as they slept when the bombardment commenced, Reuters reported. Some feared that Israel had initiated a ground offensive into Rafah.
According to residents, Israeli planes, tanks, and ships participated in the airstrikes, resulting in the targeting of two mosques and multiple residences.
The Israeli military conducted a “series of strikes” on southern Gaza on Monday that have now “concluded”.
(With Reuters inputs)