Two hostages rescued from Hamas captivity in Israeli special forces raid

By Isaac M February 12, 2024

Two Israeli hostages have been rescued from captivity during a raid by special forces in Rafah in southern Gaza, the Israeli military has said.

The army named them as Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, both taken from Kibbutz Nir Yizhak in the 7 October Hamas attacks.

They were rescued from a residential building in a raid that also killed at least seven people, according to Palestinian officials.

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Witnesses reported at least 17 airstrikes, flares and Apache helicopter fire.

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IDF release footage of hostage rescue operation

Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Hare at the  Sheba Medical Center, in Ramat Gan, Israel
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Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har at the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel. Pic: Reuters

Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har with members of their family
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Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har with members of their family

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht said the operation was based on “precise intelligence”, and the site, located on the second floor of a building, had been watched for “some time”.

Both the rescued hostages were airlifted to Sheba Hospital in central Israel and are said to be in good medical condition.

Fernando Simon Marman at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Pic: Israel Defense Forces/Reuters
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Fernando Simon Marman at the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel. Pic: Israel Defence Forces/Reuters

Louis Hare at the Sheba Medical Center, in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Pic: Reuters
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Louis Har at the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Pic: Reuters

Dr Yael Frenkel Nir, deputy director Sheba Medical Centre, told journalists: “I am very excited this morning, we received news three hours ago of the arrival of two returnees by helicopter to us at Sheba.

“Their condition seems good. We are at a preliminary evaluation and testing them regarding their condition, and due to lengthy time in captivity more tests are expected in the coming two days.”

In this photo provided by the Israeli military, shows an Israeli Air Force helicopter carrying two released hostages, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Feb, 12. 2024. The Israeli military said early Monday that it had rescued two hostages from captivity in the Gaza Strip. It said the two men were rescued in the southern Gaza town of Rafah and were in good condition at an Israeli hospital. (Israel Defense Forces via AP)
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Israeli Air Force helicopter carrying the two hostages. Pic: Israel Defence Forces

Idan Bergerano, Mr Har’s son-in-law, told Israel’s Channel 13 TV that he and his wife were able to see the two men at the hospital.

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defence work at the site of Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip February 12, 2024. Palestinian Civil Defence/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
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Members of the Palestinian Civil Defence work at the site of Israeli strikes. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

A member of the Palestinian Civil Defence works at the site of Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip February 12, 2024. Palestinian Civil Defence/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

He said both were thin and pale, but communicating well and aware of their surroundings.

Mr Marman and Mr Har are the second and third hostages to be rescued safely. A female soldier was rescued in October.

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Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.

It comes after a series of Israeli strikes hit Rafah this morning, despite warnings from US President Joe Biden not to conduct a military operation in the southern Gaza border town without a “credible” plan to protect civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously told Palestinians in Gaza to evacuate to the south of the territory, to what he referred to as “safe zones”.

The Israeli military today said it had struck what it called “terror targets in the area of Shaboura”, a district in Rafah.

The military statement said the series of strikes had concluded, without elaborating on the targets or assessing the potential damage or casualties.

Local health officials in Rafah said at least 37 people were killed.

A Palestinian wounded in an Israeli strike is rushed into a hospital, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 12, 2024. REUTERS/Shadi Tabatibi
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A Palestinian wounded after Rafah strikes. Pic: Reuters

The US president issued his latest warning in a call with Mr Netanyahu on Sunday, but the Israeli prime minister told US network ABC News: “We’re going to do it. We’re going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah.”

In the same interview, Mr Netanyahu claimed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) believed there were four Hamas cells operating inside Rafah.

He also claimed that the IDF would only carry out the operation “while providing safe passage for the civilian population”, without suggesting when it might take place.

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