Members of the Israeli occupation army in the Gaza Strip (Israeli press)

The Israeli occupation army announced the liberation of two Israeli prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance in Rafah - south of the Gaza Strip - in a night military operation, coinciding with a violent bombardment on the city that resulted in the death of at least 63 Palestinians, including a girl, and the injury of dozens of others.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the operation was carried out with the participation of the army, police special forces, and the General Security Service (Shin Bet), and with the follow-up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and succeeded in returning the two captives, Fernando Simon Marman (60 years old) and Louis Haar (70 years old).

Gallant confirmed that the two prisoners are in good health, and were transferred for a medical examination to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital.

For his part, occupation army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the forces carried out a complex operation inside a building where clashes took place with Hamas fighters during the liberation operation.

In parallel, the Air Force launched an intense wave of raids targeting the Hamas Shaboura Brigade in order to enable the force to move to the site. There has been no response yet from the Palestinian resistance to the Israeli announcement.

Yesterday, Monday, the Al-Qassam Brigades said that the continuous Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip over the past four days claimed the lives of two Israeli prisoners in the Strip and led to the serious injury of 8 others.

The Al-Qassam Brigades explained that the conditions of the wounded are becoming more dangerous, in light of the inability to provide them with appropriate treatment.

The Al-Qassam Brigades held the Israeli occupation army fully responsible for the lives of the injured prisoners, in light of the continued bombing and aggression.

Possible progress

In a related context, NBC quoted an American official as saying that “major progress in the deal to release the remaining hostages in Gaza could occur as early as this week.”

The American official added that the gaps between the positions of Hamas and Israel are still large, and that all details in the deal must be finalized.

The official revealed that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent two-thirds of their 45-minute call discussing hostage negotiations.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies