four Israeli hostages released, Hamas reports 210 dead

The Israeli army indicated on X that four hostages had been released alive on Saturday in the Gaza Strip. They are a woman, Noa Argamani, 25 years old, as well as three men: Almog Meir Jan, 21 years old, Andrey Kozlov, 27 years old, and Shlomi Ziv, 40 years old, all four “abducted” by Hamas on October 7 at the site of the Nova electro music festival, the army said.

A video was relayed by Hamas in May, in which the voice of Noa Argamani could be heard. She urged Israel to obtain his release.

The Reuters agency broadcast images of the relatives and families of the four hostages, in a medical center, when the news of this release was announced.

In another image relayed in the Israeli media, we see Noa Argamani, whose spectacular kidnapping by motorcycle terrorists had been filmed and broadcast, with her father in a hospital in Tel Aviv where her mother is hospitalized for a terminal brain cancer.

The ex-hostages’ health condition is normal, the Israeli army said, and they were transferred for further medical examinations to the Tel Hashomer Sheba Medical Center. Of the 252 people taken as hostages on October 7, 120 are still being held in Gaza now that these four new hostages have been released, and the deaths of 37 people are known for certain.

“Difficult” operation, an agent killed

Their release is the result of an operation “difficult”, in broad daylight, joined by the Israeli armed forces, the Israeli intelligence service Shin Bet, as well as the Israeli police. Israeli police announced the death of one of their officers, Arnon Zmora, from his injuries. “mortally wounded” during the operation.

This took place in two different locations in Nusseirat, a Palestinian town located in the center of the Gaza Strip, where numerous bombings have been concentrated in recent days.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said “currently targeting terrorist infrastructures in the Nouisserat area”north of the town of Deir al-Balah located in the center of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Hamas announces at least 210 dead in area where hostages were freed

A spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Doctor Khalil al-Dakran, announced on Saturday the deaths of 15 people in “intense Israeli strikes”which, according to him, left dozens of others injured.

For its part, Hamas announces at least 210 dead and more than 400 injured in the area where the hostages were freed. In response to this Israeli military offensive, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh declared that “resistance” was going to “continue”. “Our people will not surrender and the resistance will continue to defend our rights against this criminal enemy”he said in a statement from Qatar.

Netanyahu urges war cabinet member Gantz not to resign

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening urged his rival Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, not to resign from the “emergency government”after an ultimatum launched by the latter against a backdrop of dissension over the post-war period in the Gaza Strip.

“I appeal to Benny Gantz: do not leave the emergency government”wrote on the social network “unity and not division”. Earlier, Benny Gantz announced the cancellation of a press conference as Israeli media anticipated his possible resignation.

Israel “does not give in to terrorism,” praises Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the operation on Saturday. “You have proven that Israel does not give in to terrorism and acted with boundless creativity and courage to bring our hostages home”declared the head of government to the attention of the Israeli forces, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. “We will not give up until we have successfully completed the mission and brought all our hostages home, the living and the dead”he added.

The United States mobilized until the release of the last hostage, declares Biden

American President Joe Biden assured Saturday in Paris, after the release of four Israeli hostages in Gaza, that the United States would continue to mobilize until “all” are. “We will not stop working until all the hostages have returned home”did he declare. “We welcome the four hostages released today”added his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden’s national security adviser, welcomed in a statement “the work of the Israeli security services who carried out this audacious operation”. The senior US official also re-emphasized the need to close the deal “currently on the table” between the parties in Gaza, which includes a ceasefire and a release of hostages. “This agreement has the full support of the United States and the support of countries around the world”notably “the 16 countries whose nationals are still detained by Hamas”continued Jake Sullivan.

Benny Gantz cancels his press conference

Benny Gantz, rival of the prime minister and member of the Israeli war cabinet, canceled his press conference planned for Saturday evening, his spokesperson said. Several Israeli media anticipated an announcement of his resignation from the government.

Minister without portfolio as part of an expanded government after October 7, Benny Gantz, leader of the National Union party (center), issued an ultimatum to Benjamin Netanyahu on May 18. He had demanded from the leader of Likud, the major right-wing party, the adoption by the war cabinet of a “action plan” on the question of the post-war in the Gaza Strip, otherwise he would see himself “forced to resign from government”. Benny Gantz also estimated a few days ago that the return of hostages held in Gaza was a “priority”.