Israeli forces have rescued two Israeli and Argentine hostages in a night mission in Gaza, more than four months after they were abducted by Hamas terrorists during Hamas’ deadly invasion of Israel, officials said. announced late Sunday.
The two men, identified as Fernando Simon Mallman, 60, and Louis Herr, 70, were released from captivity after Israeli forces raided a residential building in Rafah, killing at least seven people. It was done.
Both men, who have dual Argentine-Israeli citizenship, were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak to Gaza along with other loved ones during the October 7 Hamas attack, which sparked the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. became. The men are the second and third hostages rescued by the Jewish state.
The brothers-in-law, Marman and Har, are in good health, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told a news conference that the rescue relied on “accurate information” and that the area where the hostages were being held (on the second floor of the building) had been under surveillance “for some time.”
“It was a very complicated surgery,” Hecht said. “We have been working on this operation for a long time. We have been waiting for the right conditions.”
A fierce gun battle took place with surrounding buildings and multiple air strikes were carried out, allowing explosives to enter the building and reach the hostages.
Israeli planes, tanks and ships all took part in airstrikes that hit two mosques and several homes, residents told Reuters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also joined military commanders and other senior officials during the operation.
Former state Rep. Dov Hikind told the Post late Sunday that Herr’s daughters were “ecstatic” at their father’s rescue.
One of his daughters, Rinat Har, told Hikind after receiving the good news.
“She’s on top of the world and she’s just crying on the phone,” Hikind said in an interview. “It’s the first time she’s heard her sound so good. She was in pain every time she spoke.”
The two families have become close since Rinat and her sister Natali stayed at the former Pol and her husband’s Long Island home in November during a trip to the United States to raise awareness for hostages.
The two sisters, who are also Merman’s nieces, had been in severe pain for the past four months.
“Every moment is hell,” Hikind recalled Rinat telling her. “It was a living hell for them.”
About 250 Israelis were taken by Hamas terrorists after a cross-border raid last year. Approximately 1,200 people died in this surprise attack.
More than 100 hostages were freed by Hamas during a week-long ceasefire in November, including Herr’s partner and Merman’s sister Clara Merman, another sister Gabriela Reinberg, and niece Mia Reinberg. It was done.
But Israeli authorities estimate that about 100 hostages remain in Gaza. Hamas also has the remains of about 30 other people killed on October 7 or who died in captivity.
Since Israel launched retaliatory strikes in Gaza, its forces have killed 28,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the region.
with post wire
