Israeli Forces Rescue Four Hostages in Gaza, Including Noa Argamani

Israeli security forces successfully rescued four hostages during a daytime raid in central Gaza on Saturday. Among the rescued was Noa Argamani, who had become a symbol of the hostages taken on October 7th after a harrowing video of her abduction was widely shared.

The hostages were transported to the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, where medical authorities confirmed they are in good health. The Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Securities Authority, and the Israel Police identified the rescued individuals as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40.

These four were among those kidnapped by Hamas during the Nova music festival on October 7th. The news of their rescue was met with widespread jubilation across Israel. On a beach in Tel Aviv, crowds erupted in cheers as lifeguards announced the names of the rescued hostages over loudspeakers.

A heartwarming video circulating on social media captured the moment Argamani reunited with her father. She also had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing her excitement: “I’m very excited. I haven’t spoken Hebrew in such a long time.” Yan Gorjaltsan, a friend of Argamani’s from Be’er Sheva, shared his joy with NBC News: “This is the happiest day of our lives. You can’t believe how we’re feeling.”

The rescue came amidst growing pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure the release of all hostages. Thousands of people have been protesting regularly in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, urging the government to act. 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum hailed the rescue as a “miraculous” achievement and urged the government to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas. They also called on Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal proposed by President Joe Biden.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described the rescue as “a great light in a terrible darkness” and welcomed the hostages back home. Noa Argamani, a data science engineering student, was seen in a distressing video being carried away on a motorcycle, a clip that became emblematic of Israel’s hostage crisis.

For Argamani’s loved ones, the rescue was a race against time, especially given her mother Liora's terminal brain cancer. Argamani turned 26 during her captivity. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, is still believed to be in Gaza. 

Almog Meir Jan, who had completed his military service just months before the attack, was captured while trying to flee the festival. Shlomi Ziv, a security guard at the festival, had called his sisters while attempting to escape. Andrey Kozlov, who had recently moved to Israel from Russia, was also working as a security guard at the event.

Noa Argamani reunited with her father and soon her dying mother has birthed new hope. It is the single most beautiful moment I have witnessed. Sadness and gentle joy. Love and relief. Time gifted.pic.twitter.com/4pC7UgEbLN

— Heidi Bachram 🎗️ (@HeidiBachram) June 8, 2024

Saturday’s operation marks the second time the IDF has rescued hostages from Gaza since October 7th. Earlier, in February, two hostages were freed from Rafah during an overnight mission. In May, the bodies of three hostages were recovered from the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.

Hamas captured around 250 hostages during the October 7th attacks. Approximately half were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. Israel reports that more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed to be deceased.

The rescue operation on Saturday not only brought joy and relief to the families of the hostages but also served as a beacon of hope for all those still awaiting the return of their loved ones.