Netanyahu vows to continue Gaza assault after Israeli hostage rescue

Jerusalem, Israel - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Israel does not surrender to terrorism" after troops on Saturday rescued four hostages alive who were held by militants in the Gaza Strip.

Former hostage Almog Meir Jan is escorted by Israeli military forces after his release.
Former hostage Almog Meir Jan is escorted by Israeli military forces after his release.  © REUTERS

Israel's army earlier named the rescued hostages as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv.

Netanyahu said that his security forces "have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism."

All four were kidnapped by Hamas militants from the Nova music festival on October 7, the military said in a statement.

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The four had been taken to hospital and were in "good medical condition," it added.

Speaking after the operation in the situation room, Netanyahu said: "We will not let go until we complete the mission and return all our hostages home – both the living and the dead."

Netanyahu's office also released a video of him speaking with Argamani on a mobile telephone.

She said she was "very excited" to return home, adding: "I haven't spoken Hebrew in such a long time."

Netanyahu told her: "We didn't give up on you for one moment."

Israel wages brutal assault on Gaza

Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike in Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip.
Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike in Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip.  © REUTERS

During their October 7 attack on southern Israel, Hamas militants took 251 hostages, 116 of whom now remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israel is said to hold thousands of Palestinians in arbitrary detention amid reports of horrific torture.

Israel's relentless bombardments and ground offensive on Gaza have killed 36,801 people since October, according to the occupied territory's health ministry.

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The International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, while the International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's campaign is a plausible case of genocide.

The US government continues to send billions of dollars' worth of weapons to Israel and has invited Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress this summer.

Cover photo: REUTERS

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