Hundreds of Palestinians killed during Israeli operation to free 4 hostages

2024-06-08 22:22:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hundreds of Palestinians killed during Israeli operation to free 4 hostages

Freed hostages meet their relatives

During an attack in Gaza on Saturday, Israeli forces rescued four people, who had been held hostage by Hamas since October. Palestinian officials said 200 people were killed in Saturday's attack. According to the Reuters news agency, this is one of the bloodiest Israeli attacks during the eight-month war.

The hostage rescue operation and intensive airstrikes were carried out in Al-Nuseirat in central Gaza, an area of ??dense construction.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press agency, referring to the figures of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, announced the killing of at least 94 Palestinians, among them children, as a result of fierce fighting in Central Gaza. The journalists of the Associated Press agency announced that about 100 wounded were sent to the Al-Aqsa hospital.

Among the dead was a baby. Relatives were seen wailing in front of the dead bodies of the children, covered in blood. Bodies were laid on the ground outside the hospital, barefoot, while many wounded were seen being rushed for medical attention.

In the largest operation to release hostages since the war against Hamas in Gaza began, the Israeli military said it freed Noa Argaman, 25, Almog Meir Janin, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, as well as Shlomi Zivin, 40, in a daytime operation in the center of Al-Nuseirat. All were fine, according to the military statement. They were flown by helicopter for medical checks and reunification with loved ones after being held hostage for 246 days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says fighting will continue until all hostages are freed. A US hostage rescue team provided support during the rescue operation, according to a US administration official who was not authorized to comment and asked not to be identified.

As Israel's offensive in Gaza continues in full swing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East on Sunday in hopes of persuading Israel and Hamas militants to accept a ceasefire deal designed to halt the fighting, to release the hostages and allow more humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Secretary Blinken's three-day trip will include stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar./ Voa