Israel conducted a special forces operation in Rafah early Monday, freeing two Israeli hostages amidst airstrikes. Local health officials reported 37 deaths and dozens of injuries in the southern Gaza city.
The operation, carried out by the Israel Defence Force (IDF), Israel’s domestic Shin Bet security service, and the Special Police Unit in Rafah, successfully liberated Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Hare, 70, who were kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on Oct. 7. The hostages were found in good condition and transported to the Tel Hashomer Medical Complex.
Lt Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesperson, described the operation as “very complex,” emphasizing the extensive planning involved. The hostages were rescued from a building’s second floor, breached with explosives during the raid, amidst heavy gunfire exchanges with surrounding structures. Simultaneously, airstrikes were conducted to facilitate the forces’ extraction.
Residents of Rafah reported widespread panic during the airstrikes, with Israel deploying planes, tanks, and ships. Multiple sites, including mosques and houses, were hit during the strikes.
The Israeli military confirmed the conclusion of a “series of strikes” in southern Gaza but did not provide further details.
U.S. President Joe Biden cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching a military operation in Rafah without a credible safety plan for the approximately 1 million residents there. Aid agencies warned of catastrophic consequences if Rafah were targeted.
Netanyahu’s office instructed the military to devise a plan for evacuating Rafah and eliminating alleged Hamas positions in the area. Hamas has disputed Israeli casualty figures and warned of consequences if an offensive were launched in Rafah.
Egypt also cautioned against an Israeli assault on Rafah, emphasizing the need for international and regional efforts to prevent such an attack.