After a fierce rescue operation that claimed the lives of 74 Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where nearly a million civilians had sought shelter after months of bombardment, Israel on Monday freed two Israeli-Argentine hostages held by Hamas.
According to the military, Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Hare, 70, were set free as a result of the operation by the Israeli military, the Shin Bet security service, and a special police unit. They were among the 250 persons taken prisoner by Hamas militants during their raid on Israel on October 7, which set off Israel’s war with Gaza.
After more than four months, a large portion of the heavily populated Mediterranean strip lies in ruins. According to Gaza health officials, 28,340 Palestinians have died and 67,984 have been wounded, with many more thought to be buried under rubble.
According to the Israeli military, 31 hostages had died during that period. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed international concerns about plans for a ground invasion on Rafah, stating that Monday’s rescue demonstrated the need for continued military pressure. Washington said it was pressing Israel for a ceasefire and more funding for Gaza, even as it welcomed the release of the hostages.
The White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, informed reporters that while there had been some progress in the talks towards a ceasefire, more work needed to be done.
The official television station of the Palestinian Authority, Palestine TV, reported that the Israeli operation in Rafah claimed the lives of 74 Palestinians living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
