Israel rescues 2 hostages in special operation
RAFAH (AP) – Israeli forces rescued two hostages early yesterday, storming a heavily guarded apartment in the southern Gaza Strip and extracting the captives under fire in a dramatic raid that was a small but symbolically significant success for Israel. The operation killed at least 50 Palestinians, including women and children, according to Palestinian health officials in the beleaguered territory.
The raid was celebrated in But as the war drags Israel, which has been seeking on, now in its fifth month, the release of more than 100 their freedom remains elusive captives held by Hamas and and rifts have emerged in Israel other militant groups. over the best approach to
But the operation also end their ordeal. brought heavy airstrikes Israeli Prime Minister pounding on Rafah, the city Benjamin Netanyahu has on the southern edge of the insisted persistent military Gaza Strip where 1.4 milpressure will bring about lion Palestinians have fled to their freedom, even as other escape fighting elsewhere in top officials have opposed the Israel-Hamas war. Dozens this idea, saying a deal is were killed. the only way to secure their
The plight of the hostages release. has profoundly shaken the nation Israel has described Rafah and Israel has made freeing as the last remaining Hamas the dozens of remaining stronghold in Gaza and signaled captives a top aim of its war, that its ground offensive along with destroying Hamas’ may soon target the densely military and governing capabilities. populated city.