IDF Frees Hostages From Hamas Militants
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), along with Israeli intelligence and police forces, heroically rescued two Israeli hostages, Fernando Marman, 61, and Louis Har, 71, from captivity by Hamas militants in Rafah at the southern Gaza Strip early Monday morning.
The operation unfolded in the dark of night, with IDF, Shin Bet — Israel’s intelligence agency — and special police forces storming a building where Marman and Har were held captive for over four months. According to reports, the troops engaged in a fierce battle with Hamas militants, navigating through explosives and a hail of gunfire to reach the hostages. After the hostages were extracted, they were immediately airlifted to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital. They are currently listed there in good condition.
Kol hakavod! (Well done!) Two hostages rescued. https://t.co/oUOZOXgAhR
— David Bernstein (@ProfDBernstein) February 12, 2024
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari hailed the operation as a testament to Israel’s resolve and the skilled execution of its armed forces. “This was a complex rescue operation under fire based on sensitive intelligence. A professional and accurate operation,” Hagari stated.
The mission’s success also highlights the grim realities of Hamas’s tactics, including the use of civilian neighborhoods to shield their operations. This cynical strategy complicates rescue efforts and endangers innocent lives. Despite these challenges, the IDF’s ability to carry out such a precise operation without significant collateral damage is a testament to their professionalism and commitment to minimizing harm to civilians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the bravery of the Israeli forces and reiterated the nation’s determination to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. “Only continued military pressure, until total victory, will bring the release of all our hostages. We will not miss any opportunity to bring them home,” Netanyahu affirmed, underscoring the ongoing efforts to free the remaining hostages and Israel’s broader security objectives.
Events in Rafah are a reminder of the ongoing conflict’s human costs and the lengths to which Israel will go to protect its citizens. The bravery of the IDF and the resilience of the Israeli people stand as a beacon of determination in the face of terrorism and adversity.