Israel rescues 4 hostages, leaves 200 Palestinians dead
Israel carried out its largest hostage rescue operation on June 8th, successfully retrieving four hostages held in Gaza at the expense of 210 Palestinians — including children — who were killed, AP and agencies reported.
Israel’s army said it freed Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv after 246 days held hostage. It carried out a daytime operation in Nuseirat and raided two locations at once while under fire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting until all hostages are freed. His Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the operation was “daring in nature, planned brilliantly, and executed in an extraordinary fashion.”
The bodies of 109 Palestinians were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, said spokesperson Khalil Degran. He added that 210 dead total had been taken there and to Al-Awda Hospital.
“The horrific massacre committed today by Netanyahu and his fascist government against the Palestinian people in Gaza, which led to slaughter of 210 and more than 400 wounded so far — under the pretext of liberating those detained by the resistance — confirms what the resistance has said repeatedly: that Netanyahu doesn’t plan to reach an agreement to stop the war and free the captured Israelis peacefully,” said Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official based in Lebanon.
READ: Israel launches deadly attack on Gaza school, 40 dead
“My two cousins were killed and two other cousins were seriously injured,” said one Palestinian in Nuseirat refugee camp. “They did not commit any sin. They were sitting at home.”
Israel has faced increasing condemnation as a result of its consistent violence against the Palestinian population, as June 8th’s excursion pushed the death toll over 37,000.
Neighboring Egypt condemned “with the strongest terms” Israel’s attack. Is foreign ministry called it a “flagrant violation of all rules of international law.” Jordan echoed these statements.
“The bloodbath must end immediately,” said the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. He had previously stated that Israel’s actions in Rafah were putting “heavy strains” on the EU’s ties to Israel.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the rescuers came under heavy fire as they moved out. “A lot of fire was around us,” he said. He noted that the army responded with heavy force.
READ: Israel “ready” to attack Hezbollah amidst ceasefire talks
An official from US President Joe Biden’s administration said a US hostage cell provided advice and support throughout the process of locating and rescuing the hostages. Though the US Central Command clarified on social media — following backlash — that neither the American-built pier in Gaza nor any of its equipment were used in the operation.
Netanyahu — who has faced increasing pressure within Israel for his handling of the hostage situation — rushed to the hospital to greet the freed hostages. His office released a stream of photos and videos of him meeting the families.
Yet thousands of Israelis again gathered Saturday evening for a pro-ceasefire demonstration. Netanyahu recently met with ministers to discuss the details of a ceasefire deal announced by Biden.
“The hostage release and ceasefire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza,” said US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in a statement.
AP and agencies
