2 Hamas Hostages Freed in Dramatic IDF Raid in Gaza
Jake Smith /
Two Israeli hostages in Gaza were rescued during a raid Sunday in the city of Rafah, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed Monday.
IDF troops on the ground rescued the two hostages during a nighttime raid that involved firefights with Hamas operatives and airstrikes across the region, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a public statement Monday. Israel continues its monthslong war against Hamas in Gaza in an effort to eradicate the terrorist group and rescue over 130 remaining hostages.
The two hostages freed were identified as Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Hare, 70, two Israeli-Argentinian citizens, according to Reuters, which also reported that the IDF killed 74 Palestinians during the raid.
“Last night, we brought Louis and Fernando home,” Hagari said Monday during a press briefing. “This was a complex rescue operation under fire in the heart of Rafah, based on highly sensitive and valuable intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate and the Israel Security Agency.”
The IDF breached the building in Rafah where Marman and Har were being held by Hamas and immediately engaged in a firefight with the terrorist operatives, Hagari said. IDF soldiers protected Marman and Har from the firefight and quickly moved them, airlifting them out of the region and providing them with medical care at Sheba Medical Center in Israel.
“Alongside the excitement, even this morning after the successful rescue operation, we do not forget for a moment that in Gaza, 134 hostages are still being held,” Hagari said. “I want to address you this morning: If you are listening to me, know that we are determined to bring you back home.”
Israel has carried out a sweeping counteroffensive against Hamas in retaliation for the terrorist attacks against the nation on Oct. 7, killing over 1,200 civilians and kidnapping hundreds of others. The Israeli government has been at odds with the Biden administration over the scope and duration of the war.
The name of the second hostage mentioned above has been changed to reflect Reuters’ reporting cited in this report, originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email [email protected], and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.