Four hostages were rescued from their eight-month captivity in Gaza on Saturday afternoon during a daring operation that involved the Israel Defense Force, Shin Bet and Israel Police.
The rescued hostages, all abducted on October 7 from the Supernova music festival, are Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41.
In a statement, the military said the hostages were held in two different civilian apartments in the heart of the densely populated Nuseirat neighborhood, right next to a local market.
An officer from Israel’s national counter-terrorism unit, Arnon Zamora, 36, was tragically killed during the high-risk operation.
The four hostages were then transported from Gaza to Sheba Medical Center for examinations.
The hospital officials said that preliminary tests showed the hostages all appear to be in stable physical health.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum praised the “heroic” operation, but added that 120 hostages are still held captive and must be freed as soon as possible.
Jubilation
The news of the hostage rescue sent Israelis into a celebratory frenzy.
Dozens of people arrived at Sheba to support the families of the hostages and get a glimpse of the rescued Israelis.
People were seen holding Israeli flags, singing and cheering. Videos shared on social media showed Israelis celebrating all around the country as well as abroad.
At multiple beaches, lifeguards were seen announcing the rescue of the hostages to beachgoers via loudspeaker, with the crowd cheering and applauding.
In Greece, where many Israelis have gathered this weekend for a Coldplay concert, videos showed crowds cheering and singing the national anthem, as well as “Am Israel Chai.”
Israelis celebrating the hostages being rescued is so touching. These beautiful people just want to live in peace.
— Luai Ahmed (@JustLuai) June 8, 2024
pic.twitter.com/21oNF40HF3
National symbol
Argamani became a symbol of the Israeli hostages after a video of her getting taken away on a motorcycle by terrorists went viral on social media around the world. Argamani’s boyfriend, Avinatan Or, is still being held captive in Gaza.
Her parents, Yakov and Liora Argamani, have been fighting relentlessly for their daughter’s release.
Yakov greeted Argamani upon her release. Liora, meanwhile, is battling terminal brain cancer.
Argamani reunited with her mother late on Saturday at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center – Ichilov Hospital, where Liora is hospitalized.
In December 2023, Liora wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden, asking him to help free her daughter.
“Before saying goodbye to my family forever, I wish to hug my only child one last time,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, Ben-Gurion University, where Argamani was studying before her kidnapping, announced they have finally taken down all posters across the campus calling for the student’s release.
The homepage of the university’s official website now says, “Welcome home, Noa.”
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