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Israel's Defense Minister Joav Gallant
Photo:
Ariel Hermoni; Israel Mod / dpa
Israel's Defense Minister Joav Gallant described the rescue of two hostages from the Gaza Strip as a "turning point" in the war against Hamas. "Hamas is vulnerable and understands that we can reach any place," Gallant said in a video released by his office on Monday. "The day when there will be further operations is not far away." Nevertheless, the "most" hostages who are still being held in the Gaza Strip must be brought home "through an agreement" and not through military operations.
Israel's military successfully rescued hostages for only the second time
The Israeli army freed two male hostages from the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday night - more than four months after they were kidnapped. Defense Secretary Gallant met on Monday with special forces involved in the liberation operation.
(Here you can read more about it.)
According to Israeli information, around 1,160 people were killed and around 250 were kidnapped as hostages in the Gaza Strip during the attack on Israel on October 7th by Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the USA. Around 130 of them are still believed to be held in the Gaza Strip. Israel believes 29 of them are dead.
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel announced its destruction. According to Hamas figures, which cannot be independently verified, more than 28,300 people were killed in the massive military operation in the Gaza Strip.
lph/dpa