The Israeli army rescued four surviving hostages from Gaza, including Noa Argamani
Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas and was one of four hostages rescued alive by Israeli forces, is pictured in this undated handout photo.
Allowed to take them home immediately | Via Reuters
Israeli security forces rescued four hostages in a daytime raid in central Gaza on Saturday, including Noa Agramani, who became the face of the hostages captured on October 7 after When painful video about her kidnapping was seen around the world.
The hostages were transferred to Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, where authorities said they were in “good health”.
According to statements by the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Securities Authority and Israel Police, the rescued hostages are Argamani, 25 years old, Almog Meir Jan, 21 years old, Andrey Kozlov, 27 years old and Shlomi Ziv, 40 years old. .
They were among those kidnapped by Hamas during that time Nova Music Festival on October 7.
This news was received with joy in Israel. On a beach in Tel Aviv, the crowd cheered as lifeguards announced the news over loudspeakers, reading out names one by one.
A video circulating on social media shows Argamani as she reunites with her father. She also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone conversation after her rescue. “I’m so excited,” she said. “I haven’t spoken Hebrew in a while.”
Yan Gorjaltsan, a friend of Argamani in his hometown of Be’er Sheva, told NBC News that he and a group of friends were on their way to Tel Aviv to meet her. “These are the happiest days of our lives,” he said. “You can’t believe how we’re feeling.”
The rescue comes as pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to reach a deal to release the hostages, with thousands of people regularly protesting in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The Hostage Families Forum, which advocated for the release of the hostages, called the rescue a “miraculous” victory, adding that the government should “bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas.” hold” and called on Hamas to accept a ceasefire. agreement proposed by President Joe Biden.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the rescue “A bright light in a terrible darkness” and welcomed the hostages back.
Argamani, a data science engineering student, was recorded screaming as he was driven away on a motorbike, in a roughly 10-second clip that has become emblematic of the Israeli hostage crisis .
For her loved ones, efforts to free her resemble a race against time, as her mother, Liora, has terminal brain cancer. Argamani turned 26 when he was imprisoned. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Orbelieved to still be in Gaza.
According to the Times of Israel, Almog Meir Jan was discharged from the army several months before the attack. He tried to flee the festival with a friend, but only got a short distance before being caught.
Shlomi Ziv was working as a security guard at Nova and called her sisters while trying to escape.
Andrey Kozlov recently moved to Israel from Russia and is also working as a security guard at the festival.
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
