Israel says it has rescued four hostages alive from Gaza.
They are in a good medical condition, Israeli authorities said.
The hostages, who were captured by Hamas from the Nova music festival in October, were named as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40.
In a joint statement, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), ISA (Israel Securities Authority) and Israel Police said: “The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and ‘Yamam’ forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat.
“They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations.
“The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home.”
The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters – a volunteer-based organisation set up to help bring hostages home – called the recovery of the four hostages “a miraculous triumph,” and called on Israel’s government to bring home those still being held.
They said in a statement: “The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas – the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial.
“We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far.”
The recovery of the four hostages is the largest such recovery since the war with Hamas began on October 7.
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Around 1,200 people were killed in southern Israeli communities during the Hamas attack and around 250 people were taken hostage.
More than 100 hostages were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, and has resulted in a widespread humanitarian crisis in the territory.
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