Israel rescues captives in Gaza raid, Palestine reports casualties.
In a daring raid, Israel rescued four captives from central Gaza, but the operation reportedly left dozens of Palestinians dead or wounded, according to health officials. The army stated the abductees – rescued from two locations in Nuseirat – were in “good health” and taken for check-ups. Police confirmed an Israeli commander also lost his life.
However, Hamas official Abu Obaida later claimed other captives were killed. Saturday’s operation was the largest recovery, bringing the total to seven.
As per the health ministry in Gaza, images emerged of bloodied patients, including children, at a Deir al-Balah hospital after Israel claimed targeting “terrorists” as part of the operation.
The Gaza administration too alleged an “unprecedented brutal attack” by Israel, leaving bodies in the streets of Nuseirat camp amid aggression across central areas.
Senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri termed regaining four after nine months of battle a “failure, not success.”
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the mission as historic. He and US President Joe Biden, meeting France’s Emanuel Macron, welcomed the rescues but faced questions over Gaza’s toll.
The move also stalled cabinet minister Benny Gantz from resigning in protest against Netanyahu’s Gaza strategy, with pressure building on the PM.
