How IDF Daytime Operation Frees Hostages Held by Hamas in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully executed a “complex daytime operation” named “Seeds of Summer,” rescuing four hostages kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7.

The operation involved precise intelligence and weeks of planning, culminating in a surgical raid on Hamas-held buildings in central Gaza’s Nuseirat area around 11 a.m. local time.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari detailed that the mission required intense preparation and training by the officers of Yamam, Israel’s national police anti-terror unit, supported by Shin Bet agents.

During the operation, the forces rescued 26-year-old Noa Argamani from an apartment, while 22-year-old Almog Meir Jan, 41-year-old Shlomi Ziv, and 27-year-old Andrey Kozlov were extracted from a second location.

The IDF released aerial footage depicting part of the rescue, showing three hostages being hurried to a helicopter, which quickly departed Gaza.

The operation, despite its success, was not without cost. Under 100 Palestinians were reportedly killed, and Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora of the Yamam unit died from injuries sustained during the raid. Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon honored Zmora, calling him a hero.

The hostages were reported to be in good medical condition upon their return and were taken to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further evaluation. The Hamas-run government media office noted that the operation resulted in 210 Palestinian deaths and left hundreds wounded.