Israel's military has succeeded in freeing Hamas hostages from the Gaza Strip for only the second time. The operation began shortly before 2 a.m.
on Monday with heavy air strikes on several targets in the south of Gaza Strip. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said early in the morning that the units had now carried out "a professional and accurate operation" Israel had only been able to free one hostage - right at the beginning of the war, four months ago. Before the two hostages were freed on Monday, an estimated 132 hostages were still being held in Gaza.