This Monday a video was published of the rescue operation in which Israeli security forces managed to free four hostages who had been captured by the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. The daring operation, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Shin Bet and the elite Yamam unit, took place last Saturday in the heart of Nuseirat, in central Gaza.
The rear admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, called the mission a “complex and high-risk operation” based on precise intelligence information. The mission, dubbed “Summer Seeds,” began at 11:00 a.m. local time, when forces received orders to assault two multi-story buildings where the hostages were being held.
The security forces decided to carry out the mission at both points simultaneously to prevent Hamas terrorists from murdering hostages after identifying the rescue operation. In the video published by the Israeli authorities, soldiers are seen shooting before entering the buildings. Once inside, the soldiers asked the hostages to identify themselves by name. Later, a soldier told them: “We have come to save you,” and he gave Almog Meir Jan a fist bump to reassure him. The video concludes with footage of soldiers providing covering fire as the hostages escaped on foot.
According to the official statement from the authorities, in the Yamam and Shin Bet operations they worked simultaneously in two locations to rescue the four hostages, facing intense combat with the terrorists. The buildings were located about 200 meters apart. Noa Argamani was held alone in the home of a Palestinian family, while the other three hostages, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Zivthey were in another house.
In the house where Meir Jan, Kozlov and Ziv were being held, an intense shootout took place. During the confrontation, the chief inspector Arnon Zamora, a Yamam officer and commander of the rescue team in the second building, was seriously injured by gunfire from Hamas terrorists. While the three hostages and Zamora were being rescued, the vehicle in which they were traveling was attacked by Hamas and was trapped. Immediately, other Israeli troops arrived on the scene to rescue them and took them to a makeshift helipad in Gaza.
This Monday, the Israeli Army published images of the first moments in which the hostages boarded the rescue helicopter and were transported to a safe place. In the video, Israeli Air Force (IAF) soldiers are heard saying: “The first one is on board; the second and the third are with us.”
The images show the hostages being transported in a “Yasur” helicopter. In a second video, an IAF soldier asks the former hostages if they have ever been in a helicopter and tells them that they will be taken to Sheba Medical Center, where they will receive a warm welcome. “This is the most important thing in the world“, the soldier tells them.
Upon reaching Israeli soil, the injured officer was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.
“Israeli forces have been preparing for this rescue mission for weeks. They have undergone intensive training; “They risked their lives to save the lives of our hostages,” added Hagari.
A Gaza official informed the agency Reuters that at least 50 Hamas terrorists were killed during the operation in Nuseirat and other areas of central Gaza. According to the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, under Hamas control, at least 80 people were killed and dozens injured as a result of the Israeli attacks launched on Saturday, mainly in Nuseirat.
Rear Admiral Hagari underscored the bravery and sacrifice of the Israeli forces, noting that they “risked their lives to save the lives of our hostages.” He concluded: “When we say we will do everything we can to get our hostages home, we mean it. We will not stop fighting for your freedom. “Any other decent country in the world would do the same.”
Operation “Summer Seeds” once again demonstrates Israel’s commitment to rescuing its citizens and ensuring their safety, even in the most challenging circumstances.
