En early morning Saturday June 8, at the Israeli army’s special operations headquarters, General Hertzi Halevy, chief of staff, and Ronen Bar, head of Shin Beth (internal security) gave the green light. The operation could begin. As far as we know, according to Palestinian sources, a truck carrying furniture intended for refugees entered a neighborhood of Nusseirat, the large refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip.
Shortly afterwards, 200 meters apart, two operations took place simultaneously. Commandos from special units of the police, Shin Beth and the army forced entry to the apartments where the hostages were held. In one, Noa Argamani, 25 years old. In the other, Almog Meir Jan, 21 years old, Andreï Kozlov, 27 years old and Shlomi Ziv, 40 years old. All four were kidnapped by Hamas during the attack on the Nova techno music festival in Reim on October 7, 2023.
Combat helicopters and drones
Hamas forces nearby quickly intervened and fired automatic weapons and RPGs towards the Israeli commandos and the vehicle that had come to evacuate the hostages. Combat helicopters and drones provided fire support to Israeli units. The armored vehicle hit by an explosion broke down, right in the center of Nousseirat. IDF forces deployed nearby had to intervene to evacuate soldiers and hostages to the helicopters waiting nearby on the beach.
During the exchange of fire, the leader of one of the Israeli commandos was seriously injured. Police officer Arnon Zamora, from the Yamam (counter-terrorism) unit, died a short time later in hospital.
Around 12:30 p.m., even before the four hostages arrived safely at Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, the rumor spread like wildfire. When the names of the hostages were published, there was celebration in the neighborhoods where their families reside. Very quickly, the 24-hour news TV channels broadcast the first images of the hostages being reunited with their loved ones. Like Noa Argamani hugged by her father, whose birthday it was. “It’s the greatest gift anyone could give me,” he said, his eyes cloudy with emotion. A little later, there are images of Andrey Kozlov hugging his fellow prisoner Almog. Or Shlomi talking to doctors and saying he wants to take a shower.
“We will bring back all our hostages”
Exception to the rule that an Israeli Prime Minister does not speak during the weekly Shabbat break, Benjamin Netanyahu not only went to Tel Hashomer to meet the freed hostages, but he made a brief statement there. He said he approved the operation without hesitation. “This is a day of unprecedented emotion for all citizens of Israel and for me personally,” he said. Before hammering: “I want to make it clear: we will bring them all back. We are already working to bring back other hostages. We will bring them all back. » Which he repeated in conclusion: “We will bring back all our hostages, one way or another. »
While rejoicing at this release, families of the 120 Israelis still detained in Gaza once again appealed to the government to accept an agreement with Hamas. Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan, still a prisoner, said: “There are still 120 hostages in the hell of Gaza. The only way to bring them back is through a deal. The Israeli population is with us and is ready to pay the price. That of the end of the war. »
“There are families who cannot, today, share the happiness of the loved ones of those who were released. There is a chance for a deal. The only way to bring them all back and end the war,” said Merav Svirsky, the sister of Itay Svirsky, killed while he was a hostage in Gaza and who was detained for a long time with Noa Argamani.
Saturday’s four releases bring to seven the number of hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 who were freed during military operations, out of a total of 250 civilian and military hostages taken. Three others were killed by mistake by the IDF and 105 found freedom last November as part of a prisoner exchange with the Islamist organization.
According to the Hamas Health Ministry, 210 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli operation on Saturday, including many children.
