The release of four Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza has brought a sense of relief to many Israelis after months of anticipation. The news comes as a personal relief to me as well, especially after the prayer we recited at my granddaughter's wedding on Friday for the safe return of all the hostages.
Though most hostages remain in captivity, the operation that liberated Noa Argamani, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv and Almog Meir on Saturday marks a significant achievement by the security forces. This operation, while providing some solace, still leaves many families in distress.
The four hostages, abducted during the Hamas massacre at the Nova festival on October 7, were held in separate buildings in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Noa was held in one location, while the three men were in another.
The success of the operation hinged on the element of surprise and swift execution. Although the details of the planning remain undisclosed, the daylight timing of the operation suggests that the terrorists were caught off guard. The operation involved subterfuge to reach the captives within 30 minutes.
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Noa Argamani after her release, and during her abduction
(Photo: President Herzog's spokesperson)
The hostages were freed by units outside the military. The Shin Bet's operational force, known for its covert operations and technological capabilities, and the police's Yamam counterterrorism unit executed the rescue. The IDF provided comprehensive support, including transport, air, naval and artillery cover, enabling the extraction despite heavy resistance. Unfortunately, a Yamam fighter was critically injured and later died.
The operation involved extensive use of aircraft, including drones for intelligence gathering and attacking terrorists, fighter jets and attack helicopters for cover. Coordination between the IDF, Shin Bet, and Yamam was nearly flawless. Despite the higher risks due to the daytime operation, the planners relied on surprise and heavy firepower.
Intelligence gathering and meticulous planning by Shin Bet and Military Intelligence were crucial for the operation's success. The special intelligence unit assembled for the hostage crisis, under the command of Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, was instrumental in locating the captives. The Shin Bet, under Ronen Bar's leadership, played a pivotal role in both planning and execution, while Yamam's swift and professional action increased the chances of success.
The IDF had not operated intensively in the Nuseirat camp or central Gaza recently. The last significant offensive in the area occurred over four months ago, focusing on Hamas' weapons production and infrastructure. Recently, military operations targeted the underground tunnel system and remaining Hamas forces, avoiding the camp itself.
The importance of Nuseirat to Hamas is underscored by the successful targeted killing of Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas' military wing, in March. With this operation, Hamas is likely to increase efforts to conceal the remaining hostages and bolster their security, potentially necessitating further Israeli operations in the future.