Israel's military has successfully rescued two hostages in a special operation carried out overnight in Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza. The hostages, identified as Fernando Simon Marmon, 60 years old, and Luis Haas, 70 years old, had been held captive since October 7th. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) meticulously planned the raid and managed to free the hostages.
The operation involved a covert team being deployed to the second floor of a building near the location where the hostages were being held. To create a distraction, the IDF targeted a Hamas battalion in the area. However, it remains uncertain if the Palestinian Red Crescent's reports of overnight airstrikes and gunfire resulting in the deaths of around 60 Palestinians and the destruction of two mosques and several houses were part of the distraction or a separate incident.
