Israeli Forces Rescue Hostages from Hamas Stronghold in Daring Operation

Click here to read the full article.

Israeli forces rescued two hostages early Monday, storming a heavily guarded apartment in the Gaza Strip as airstrikes were carried out to cover the raid killed more than 60 Palestinians.

The rescue in Rafah briefly lifted the spirits of Israelis shaken by the plight of the dozens of hostages held by Hamas. The nation is still reeling from the militant group’s cross-border raid last year that started the war.

In Hamas’ cross-border raid on Oct. 7, an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and militants took 250 people captive, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel has described Rafah as the last remaining Hamas stronghold in the territory and signaled that its ground offensive may soon target the town on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip.

Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Hamas captivity after dozens were freed during a cease-fire in November. Hamas also holds the remains of roughly 30 others who were either killed on Oct. 7 or died in captivity.

The government has made freeing the hostages a top aim of its war, along with destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says persistent military pressure will bring about the captives’ freedom, even as families of the hostages and many of their supporters have called on the government to make another deal with Hamas.

Continue reading here.

Scroll down for comments and share your thoughts!