JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday met with special forces who helped free two Gaza hostages in a rare rescue operation, calling it a “turning point” in the months-long war against Hamas.
Commandos freed two men from an apartment building in the Gaza city of Rafah in a nighttime raid, more than four months after they were captured by militants during a Hamas attack on Oct 7.
“Hamas is vulnerable and understands that we can reach every location,” a video shared by his office showed Gallant as having said.
“You have lifted our spirits. We aren’t far from the day when there will be more operations.”
But he said the “majority” of hostages still in Gaza would be brought home “by agreement” and not through military action.
Gallant’s assessment comes amid growing Israeli calls for a deal to free the remaining hostages and warnings from foreign governments and aid groups against a ground invasion of Rafah.
The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza said around 100 people were killed in heavy airstrikes that accompanied the overnight raid.
The extensive destruction of Gaza caused by more than four months of war since the October 7 attack was “a symbol” that those who harm Israel must pay a “very high price”, said Gallant further.
About 250 people were taken hostage by Hamas, about 130 of whom are still in Gaza, although Israel believes 29 of them are dead.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas and has attacked coastal territory controlled by the group with a relentless artillery bombardment and ground operations.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 28,300 people have been killed since the war began.
