Israel Rescues Two Hostages inside Gaza

Two Israeli hostages, Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70), have been successfully rescued in a raid conducted by the Israeli military in Rafah.

The operation, described as "impressive" by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, involved a joint effort between the IDF, ISA (Israel Security Agency), and Israel Police.

The hostages were reportedly held on the second floor of a building in Rafah, and they are now in "good medical condition."

Following the rescue, they were taken to Sheba Medical Center in central Israel for tests. The details of the operation, including the means of transportation, remain unclear.

The rescue comes amid heavy Israeli air strikes on Rafah, with conflicting reports on casualties.

The AFP news agency reported 52 Palestinians, including children, killed, while Reuters cited Gaza health officials with a death toll of 37.

Witnesses in the city described dozens of Israeli overnight air strikes, involving helicopters and boats.

Israel launched these operations in response to an attack by Hamas gunmen on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,200 deaths.

The gunmen also took around 240 people hostage, some of whom were later released.

Despite warnings from the international community, Israel proceeded with its offensive in Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million people are sheltering, many having fled from other parts of Gaza.

The city, located on the border with Egypt, serves as the only open point of entry for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The situation remains complex, with ongoing military actions and a growing death toll in the region.