Great news overnight as two Israeli-Argentinians who were being held hostage by Hamas were rescued by the Israeli military in Gaza.
The two men who are brothers-in-law — Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Luis Har, 70 — were kidnapped on Oct. 7 during the attack on Israel by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and taken to Gaza. They are in good medical condition, considering their more than four-month ordeal.
“This rescue mission underscores the importance of our ground operation in Gaza. We have a moral obligation to bring all our hostages home, an obligation that we will continue doing everything in our power to fulfill.”
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 12, 2024
Watch the full statement by IDF Spokesperson RAdl. Daniel… pic.twitter.com/M29G46pJw1
“The hostages … were held captive in harsh conditions. They were intentionally held in the middle of a civilian neighborhood inside a civilian building to try to prevent us from rescuing them. But we did,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video message this morning. “Fernando Marmon and Luis Har are now home in Israel. They have undergone medical examination and have been reunited with their families.
The rescued Israeli hostages reunite with their families pic.twitter.com/MyZ15l3xoq
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) February 12, 2024
First picture of the former Hamas hostages Fernando Simon Marman and Norberto Louis Har back with their families after having been saved by the Israeli Army in Rafah a few hours ago.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) February 12, 2024
Israel will enter Rafah. Nothing will stop them. pic.twitter.com/XUWloYrS1T
Rescued Israeli hostages reunited and celebrating with family ♥️ pic.twitter.com/dT5F2J65Hi
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) February 12, 2024
The IDF executed a raid on a building in Rafah where they were being held.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said they had the building under surveillance and were waiting for the right moment.
“It was a very complex operation,” Hecht said. “We’ve been working a long time on this operation. We were waiting for the right conditions.”
The hostages were reached after an explosive breached the building as a heavy exchange of gunfire took place with surrounding buildings and multiple airstrikes were carried out.
Israeli planes, tanks and ships all took part in the strikes that hit two mosques and multiple houses, residents told Reuters.
They killed the three terrorists who had been holding the hostages.
Har’s daughter Rinat Har told former NY State Assemblyman Dov. Hikind about their joy.
“She’s on top of the world, just bawling on the phone, totally in tears,” Hikind said in an interview. “I’ve never heard her sound so good. Every other time, you felt the pain in every conversation.”
While 100 hostages were released in November, there are still more than 100 who remain, including American hostages. Hamas previously played games, doing things like releasing videos of hostages and teasing what their fates might be, in an effort to cause the families even more torment.
But fortunately, through an excellent operation by the IDF, at least these two men are home in the safe arms of their families.
