The Israeli military announced on Saturday the successful rescue of four hostages held in Gaza following a complex operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
The rescued individuals were identified as Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir, 21; Andrei Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Zeev, 40.
According to military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, these hostages were kidnapped by Hamas while attending a music festival in southern Israel on October 7. The army confirmed that the rescued hostages are in good health.
A video released by Argamani’s office showed her receiving a phone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
In the footage, Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz postponed his statement to coincide with the announcement of the hostages’ release.
Kozlov, a Russian who moved to Israel in 2022, was working as a security guard at the festival when he was abducted. Almog Meir attempted to flee the festival with a friend. They managed to reach a friend’s car but had to stop after a short distance, according to the BBC.
The rescue operation had been planned for weeks, and the military spokesperson stated that Israeli forces saved the hostages from Hamas amidst gunfire. During the operation, an Israeli police officer was injured.
