Israel has rescued four hostages in connection with intense attacks in the Gaza Strip.
This is the largest successful rescue operation since the start of the war.
However, it is reported to have been very bloody – with hundreds of Palestinian deaths as a result.
During the operation, which was carried out in the middle of the day, 26-year-old Noa Argamani, 22-year-old Almog Meir, 41-year-old Shlomi Ziv, and 27-year-old Andrei Kozlov were freed from the captivity they had been in since October 7.
They were flown back to central Gaza Strip to Israel in a helicopter and are seen on pictures jubilantly greeting their relatives. They are "medically in good health," but have still been taken to the hospital for checks, according to statements from the Israeli military.
This is the first time Israel has managed to rescue so many hostages alive.
Earlier in the day, the IDF announced that intense attacks were carried out in Dayr al-Balah and other areas in central Gaza Strip.
The rescue operation is said to have involved hundreds of soldiers and took place at two different locations during the offensive in Nuseirat, just north of Dayr al-Balah.
During these attacks, over 200 Palestinians were killed, according to news agencies and health authorities in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. In addition, around 400 Palestinians were reported injured and taken to hospital.
The situation at the hospitals after the attacks is described by Doctors Without Borders as a nightmare. Many of the injured are said to be women and children.
She describes children with burns on the emergency ward, screaming for their parents – or completely silent due to shock.
According to the Israeli military's spokesperson Daniel Hagari, the four hostages were held in two multi-story buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp, where many civilians were also present.
Both families and guards were present in the buildings, he told journalists.
Argamani was held in an apartment, while the other three hostages were together in another nearby location.
According to Hamas, another hostage was killed during the rescue operation – information that could not be verified.
One Israeli soldier who participated in the rescue operation has died.
The operation "proves that Israel does not give in to terrorism," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
The numbers vary slightly and many of the information is unconfirmed, but it is estimated that around 300 people in Israel have been kidnapped by Hamas and other extremist groups during the large-scale terror attack on October 7. The aim was to take them to Gaza Strip and use them as leverage on Israel.
About 50 of the victims died during or in connection with the violence on October 7.
According to Israel, around 250 people remained in captivity.
About half have since been freed, rescued or found dead due to fighting and bombings. The majority, 105 people, were released as part of the week-long ceasefire in November-December.
According to Israel's estimates, around 120 people remain in captivity in Gaza Strip. This includes four people who were taken captive long ago, in 2014-2015.
At least a third of these are feared dead, possibly half or more. Hamas leaders claim not even they know exactly who is alive.
