In what is being compared to another Entebbe, a combined force of ISA, Yamam, and IDF commandos rescued Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip.
The troops practiced for weeks after intelligence was corroborated on the hostages where about. Noa was held by herself, 200 meters from the other three hostages. The rescue had to take place simultaneously in order to ensure Hamas would not execute any of the hostages once the raid began.
Immediately after pulling out the hostages, the security forces began to withdraw while fighting dozens of terrorists. When a vehicle with three of the hostages Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv got stuck and came under heavy fire, the vaunted division 98 jumped in to assist in rescuing the vehicle. Rescue helicopters entered deep into the strip in daylight.
Three brigades participated in the rescue battle, during which Zamora was also evacuated to the hospital: Brigade 7, Paratroopers, and Kfir with Flotilla 13, along with other special forces. “The fire plan that was executed was focused but extremely powerful,” the IDF added. “The cooperation with Shin Bet and Yamam rose to several levels into a single operational system, under the direction of the Shin Bet chief and the Chief of Staff. Four keys to the operation: deception, surprise, determination, and power.”
Yamam fighter Arnon Zamora was critically injured when freeing Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. He later died of his wounds. The IDF also noted that the rescue was made possible by Commander Zamora’s heroism. “Shin Bet and Intelligence Directorate fighters entered the lion’s den in the refugee camp and dismantled houses in areas where we hadn’t maneuvered,” they said. “This is bravery on the level of Judah Maccabee. The operation was planned for weeks with drills, rescue plans, and fires executed, alongside scenarios of cases and responses.”
“The IDF mourns the fallen Israel Police Yamam Squad Commander Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora,” the IDF said.
“Arnon is an Israeli hero, who loved and protected his country. He led the force that rescued the four hostages from the central Gaza Strip and returned them to Israel. The IDF salutes his memory. The IDF expresses its deepest condolences to Arnon’s family at this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.” Zamora leaves behind a wife and two children.
Upon news of the rescue, Israelis celebrated around the country. The effect of the rescue has wide ranging implication geopolitically. The hostage “deal” being cooked up by Biden and Hamas is now dead on arrival in Israel. Even before the rescue operation most Israeli were against any deal that would end the war, something that Biden’s “deal” demanded. Now, Israel’s leadership with be committing political suicide if it cut a deal that lead to a permanent ceasefire.
Perhaps the most important thing the rescue operation does is bring a much needed sense of redemption for Israel. A taste of what could be if we actually push forward towards a real victory. Noa Argamani was the face of Israel’s failure on October 7th. Her face is now the symbol of freedom, success, and redemption for what appears to be a renewed spirit through Israel.
This operation brings real unity to the nation and places Netanyahu and the government’s detractors on the defensive. so much so that Gantz cancelled his planned speech announcing his leaving the unity government. With a ground offensive looming up North, international pressure flooding Israel, and the war in Gaza far from over, Israel needed a real win and miraculously got it.