After 128 days of captivity – freed men reunited with their families in hospital Contents of Darwin’s library completely reconstructed

The hostages, who were released during a special operation in the southern Gaza Strip, have already been hugged by their families in hospital. They are 60-year-old Fernando Simon Marman and 70-year-old Norberto Louis Har. Argentine President Javier Milei wrote to X that the freed persons were Israeli-Argentine dual citizens.

The son-in-law of one of those released told Israeli media that the family received the message that evening and the four adult children went straight to the hospital. Despite being held hostage for more than four months, the 70-year-old is in relatively good condition; he just looks a bit thin and pale. ‘He is a bit shocked by all the commotion’ the son-in-law told Israeli broadcaster Kan outside Shiba Hospital near Tel Aviv. After their liberation, the men were taken there by helicopter.

He also remembered the birthdays of all his relatives.

Dramatic liberation action

Israeli news site “ynet” reported that the hostages were being held in a family’s home in Rafah. According to the army, they were freed in a dramatic operation under heavy fire. The Israeli army had been preparing for the operation for some time based on intelligence and was waiting for an opportune moment. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said this on Monday. Special forces entered a building in the center of Rafah city in the early morning hours.

The two male hostages were held there on the second floor by armed terrorists from the Islamist Hamas. He said other terrorists were in neighboring buildings. The security forces stood protectively in front of the hostages and then exchanged heavy fire.

According to Hagari, the Israeli Air Force began attacks in the Rafah area just a minute after the building was stormed to allow the forces to withdraw. At this point the two hostages were evacuated from the building under heavy fire. said the Israeli army spokesman. According to Palestinian sources, dozens of people, including children and women, were killed in the overnight attacks by the Israeli army. The information provided by both parties could not initially be independently verified

First successful hostage rescue in four months

They are the first civilian hostages to be released since the start of the Gaza war more than four months ago. At the end of October, Israeli special forces had already rescued a female soldier from Hamas violence. According to the military, another hostage was killed in December during a failed rescue attempt.

Israeli President Izchak Herzog wrote on X:

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also thanked the special forces and said they would continue to do everything they can “to free all hostages from the control of the murderous terrorist organization.” (saw/sda/dpa)