In a daring and highly coordinated operation, Israeli special forces successfully rescued four hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza on Saturday. The hostages, Noa Argamani, 26, Shlomi Ziv, 41, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Almog Meir Jan, 22, were held by Hamas militants and were freed after an intense firefight.
Khalil Al Tirawi, a resident of Nuseirat, told CNN that he witnessed members of the Israeli military disguised as Hamas fighters and Palestinian civilians. “I saw the special forces that arrived. They were dressed in military uniforms like resistance fighters, carrying helmets and wearing signs of the resistance, giving the impression to people that they were resistance fighters, but in reality, they were an Israeli special forces unit,” Tirawi said.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed the use of such disguises, with IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stating, “We are using techniques and ways, details of which I will not give to the enemy.”
The operation began after meticulous planning and intelligence gathering, including support from the US. The commandos entered Nuseirat using various covert methods, with some reports suggesting they used a humanitarian aid truck, a claim the IDF denies.
The rescue mission was executed in broad daylight, with special forces moving through the densely populated refugee camp. The operation faced fierce resistance from Palestinian fighters, resulting in a heavy exchange of gunfire and missile strikes. Mobile phone footage showed people diving for cover as the conflict erupted.
The hostages were held in two separate apartments, surrounded by armed guards. Israeli commandos stormed the buildings simultaneously, rescuing the hostages and shielding them before evacuating them to military vehicles. The operation faced severe opposition, with numerous casualties reported. Doctors in central Gaza reported over 70 bodies, while Hamas media claimed more than 200 were killed. The IDF estimated the death toll to be less than 100.
The intensity of the firefight led to significant collateral damage, with multiple homes, including those of Tirawi and his neighbors, being struck by missiles. Commander Arnon Zamora of the Yamam unit tragically lost his life during the operation, despite resuscitation attempts.
The rescue mission, named “Summer Seeds,” was authorized after weeks of preparation, involving mock-ups of the hostage locations and advanced intelligence tracking. The US provided critical intelligence support, aiding the precision and execution of the operation.
