DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel on Saturday carried out its largest hostage rescue operation since the war with the Hamas militant group began Oct. 7, taking four to safety out of central Gaza amid the military's heavy air and ground assault. At least 210 dead Palestinians, including children, were brought to hospitals, a health official in Gaza said.
Israelis were jubilant as the army said it freed Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41, in a daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations at once while under fire. All four rescued hostages were well, the military said. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after 246 days held.
The operation was "daring in nature, planned brilliantly, and executed in an extraordinary fashion," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. A U.S.
hostage cell provided advice and support throughout the process of locating and rescuing the hostages, according to a Biden administration official, who requested anonymity. The hostage cells are multi-agency teams. Israeli aircraft hummed overhead as the bodies of 109 Palestinians including 23 children and 11 women were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where spokesperson Khalil Degran said more than 100 wounded also arrived.
He said overall, 210 dead were taken there and to Al-Awda Hospital, saying he spoke to its director. Al-Awda's numbers couldn't immediately be confirmed. "The horrific massacre co.