Gaza — Ekhbary News Agency
Israeli security forces conducted a significant daytime operation Saturday in Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, successfully rescuing four hostages held by Hamas since October 7. This daring raid, however, was accompanied by intense Israeli bombardment and artillery fire, leading to a substantial loss of life among Palestinians. Hospital officials in the enclave reported a grim toll, with at least 236 fatalities counted across two medical facilities following the military action.
Civilian Casualties Mount Amid Rescue
Dr. Marwan Abu Nasser, director of Al-Awda Hospital, confirmed 142 bodies had arrived at his facility by late Saturday. Simultaneously, Khalil al-Dikran, spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, reported 94 additional fatalities. Palestinian civilians recounted harrowing scenes of destruction, describing children "torn apart and scattered in the streets" from the heavy shelling. CNN footage from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital depicted numerous wounded children being carried, bloodied, with patients overwhelming the emergency room floor. It's worth noting, however, that international media access remains severely restricted, complicating independent verification of casualty figures from Gaza.
Read Also
- US Bakes Under 'Heat Dome' as Record Temperatures Fuel Wildfires
- England's New Buildings Risk Overheating Crisis, Experts Warn
- Birds' Ingenious Survival Strategies Amidst Record Heatwaves
- Summer Journey Across Southern England Reveals Landscape Changes Amidst Heatwave
- Bee Supplements Offer Cold Stress Resilience Amid Climate Crisis Study
Hostage Recovery and Political Fallout
The Israel Defense Forces identified the rescued individuals as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, all abducted from the Nova music festival. Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the freed captives and their families, while US President Joe Biden welcomed the news, pledging continued support for efforts to release remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz postponed a press conference where he was expected to announce his resignation, with Netanyahu urging unity during this critical period. Hamas, for its part, claimed some hostages were killed during the operation, a claim Israel has not addressed directly.
