Israel rescues four hostages taken at Supernova music festival
Four hostages held in captivity for eight months are back with their families as their release sparks chaos in Israel.
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Four Israeli hostages held in captivity for eight months have been reunited with their loved ones in hospital after being rescued from Hamas in a daring helicopter operation by Israeli special forces in central Gaza.
Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were rescued in a “complex daytime operation” after they were abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the Supernova music festival near the southern community of Re’im.
Ms Argamani was rescued at one site in Gaza’s crowded Nuseirat refugee camp, while the other three captives were rescued together at a nearby building.
Amid laughter and tears, the hostages wept as they hugged their parents and relatives after being taken to hospital where they were reunited with friends via video calls.
All four are said to be in good medical condition.
Their rescue sparked wild scenes across Israel with jubilation and partying in the streets as well as anti-government protests.
In footage released by the Israel Defense Forces, Noa Argamani’s father thanked “the high-quality, humane and most moral army in the world” for rescuing his daughter.
Ms Argamani made world headlines when a distressed image of her screaming while being abducted on the back of a motorbike emerged.
Within hours of her release, she was reunited with terminally ill mother, Liora, who has stage 4 brain cancer and has previously appealed to world leaders to grant her dying wish to see her daughter one last time.
“There’s no army like this in the world,” Yaakov Argamani said as he clutched his daughter tightly at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre.
EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE from the helicopter that brought Noa back home from Hamas captivity: pic.twitter.com/PQypAUwRba
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the rescued hostages in hospital where he hugged a visibly overwhelmed Andrey Kozlov, who thanked the PM in Russian.
Mr Netanyahu held Ms Argamani’s hand as her father Yaakov thanked Mr Netanyahu for his efforts.
Later in the video, Mr Netanyahu joined relatives in singing “Happy Birthday” to Ms Argamani’s father.
Almog Meir Jan wept as he hugged his overjoyed mother, Orit, in the hospital.
He later told Kan public radio: “Thank you, thank you everyone, Am Yisrael Chai.
“I’m completely fine now, I’m with the supportive family. Thanks for everything.”
His mother told the radio station that her son’s true condition remained to be seen, adding that the family was deeply moved and had a “flood of emotions”.
The parents of Andrey Kozlov, who had been working as a security guard at the festival when he was captured, were on their way from Saint Petersburg to Israel to be reunited with their son.
Shlomi Ziv, who was also taken captive while working security, wept tears of joy as he hugged his relatives in hospital.
Gunmen took around 250 hostages back to Gaza on October 7, more than 100 of whom were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails during a week-long truce in November.
There are 116 hostages left in the coastal enclave, according to Israeli tallies, including at least 40 whom Israeli authorities have declared dead in absentia.
Earlier, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Mr Netanyahu each called Ms Argamani to welcome her home.
In the brief phone call, President Herzog spoke to her as she thanked him.
“I embrace you in the name of the entire nation of Israel,” Mr Herzog said.
BREAKING 🚨🚨🚨
— Mor Hogeg (@MorHogeg) June 8, 2024
THE MOMENT!
Noa Argami meets her father after being rescued by the @IDF!#BringThemAllHomepic.twitter.com/kMv1L50ZlI
Mr Netanyahu asked her how she was feeling, and she replied saying she was “very excited”.
“We didn’t give up on you for a moment. I don’t know if you believed it, but we believed it, and I am glad it happened,” Mr Netanyahu said.
“Get better with your family, and hug your mother as well.”
משפחת ××¨×’×ž× ×™ מת×חדת@DaphnaLielpic.twitter.com/vH7tTOqpGG
— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) June 8, 2024
Israeli special forces had simultaneously raided two Hamas sites in central Gaza’s Nuseirat, where Ms Argamani was rescued at one location.
Mr Meir Jan, Mr Kozlov, and Mr Ziv were at the second location.
Mr Meir Jan was released from army service three months before his capture, and Mr Kozlov was working as a security guard at the desert music festival.
Mr Ziv was also working in the security detail. He had gone to the party with two others, Aviv Eliyahu, his wife’s relative, and friend Jake Marlowe who were both killed.
Shlomi Ziv (40) was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 at the Nova festival.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
Shlomi was working as security director at the festival when he was brutally taken hostage for 245 days.
We brought him home today back to his wife and family. We will continue operating to bring all our… pic.twitter.com/DiVWUvL7Z0
Andrey Kozlov (27) was working security at the Nova music festival.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
While ensuring the safety of the partygoers, his own safety was compromised when he was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists.
Today is the day Andrey was released from captivity and can finally return to safety. pic.twitter.com/1POTYvC1Sa
They were also taken to Tel Hashomer Hospital for medical assessment.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said operation was “daring.”
“During the operation, we struck… threats to our forces in the area. These threats were struck from the land, air, and sea… in order for us to rescue the hostages,” he said.
🔴Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari’s statement regarding our operation to bring Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi back home: pic.twitter.com/Tt2wtE9121
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was “overjoyed” at the rescue of the four hostages.
“IDF, ISA and Special Forces conducted a complex, heroic operation to rescue four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and brought them home to Israel. We will keep fighting until 120 hostages are home,” Gallant posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also reacted to the security operation to rescue the four hostages, saying it was “a great light in the terrible darkness”.
“Noa, Shlomi, Almog and Andrey. We waited for you, and we are still waiting for everyone. Everyone,” Lapid wrote on X.
“Much appreciation for the security forces for a bold and brave operation, in the most important mission of bringing the hostages home. A great light in the terrible darkness.”
The rescue sparked celebrations in the streets and beaches of Israel before Israeli activists rallied during an anti-government demonstration, calling for the return of Israeli hostages being held in the Gaza Strip following their kidnapping by Palestinian Hamas militants.
Tel Aviv beach an hour ago:
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 8, 2024
Israelis cheer and celebrate at the beach after the lifeguard informs of the rescue of 4 hostages.
Noa Argamani (25)
Almog Meir Jan (21)
Andrey Kozlov (27)
Shlomi Ziv (40)
They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba'… pic.twitter.com/JEVpJe2ZUG
עשרות ישר××œ×™× ×—×•×’×’×™× ×ת שחרור ×”×—×˜×•×¤×™× ×‘××ª×•× ×” pic.twitter.com/WcGtWi2cEV
— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) June 8, 2024
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum described the rescue as an “heroic operation”.
“Now, with the enormous joy all 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,” the forum posted on X.
“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.”
Originally published as Israel rescues four hostages taken at Supernova music festival
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