4 hostages kidnapped from the Nova music competition and held by militants in Gaza for the final eight months have been rescued by Israeli forces on Saturday.
For the reason that Hamas-led terrorist assault on Oct. 7, Israel has solely freed a small variety of hostages by army pressure. Saturday’s rescues occurred in Nuseirat in central Gaza, the place well being officers reported that dozens of Palestinians had been killed.
Here’s what we all know in regards to the 4 hostages who have been introduced again to Israel.
Noa Argamani
Noa Argamani, 26, was taken hostage within the Oct. 7 assault alongside her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. Viral footage confirmed Ms. Argamani being taken into Gaza on the again of a bike as she cried out in desperation.
Ms. Argamani and her boyfriend have been kidnapped from the Nova music competition in southern Israel, the place militants carried out brutal atrocities towards partygoers. The destiny of Ms. Argamani’s boyfriend is unknown.
The plight of Ms. Argamani obtained outsized consideration, partly as a result of her mom, Liora, is affected by mind most cancers and her situation has deteriorated considerably in latest months.
“I don’t understand how a lot time I’ve left,” the mom stated final yr. “I want to see my Noa at dwelling.”
Andrey Kozlov
Andrey Kozlov, 27, was working as a safety guard on the music competition when he was taken. He not too long ago immigrated to Israel from Russia and was a resident of Rishon Lezion, a metropolis in central Israel.
In January, Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian deputy overseas minister, informed Hamas officers that the discharge of civilians captured within the Oct. 7 assault, together with Mr. Kozlov and two different Russian residents, needs to be sped up, in line with an announcement from the Russian overseas ministry.
In footage shared on social media on Saturday, Mr. Kozlov may very well be seen smiling as he was escorted by troops from a army helicopter.
Almog Meir Jan
Almog Meir Jan, 22, was kidnapped a day earlier than he was supposed to begin a brand new job at a expertise firm, in line with the Hostage Households Discussion board.
In December, Sky Information aired an interview along with his mom, Orit, who stated that her son had referred to as her on Oct. 7 at 7:45 a.m. and described the chaotic scenes unfolding on the competition website.
“Mother, they closed the competition,” she recalled him saying. “There are rockets and capturing all over the place.”
On Saturday, footage of Mr. Meir Jan’s household celebrating the information of his freedom was shared on social media. “I’m so excited,” his mom stated.
Shlomi Ziv
Shlomi Ziv, 41, was working as a safety guard on the competition. He’s a resident of Elkosh, a neighborhood in northern Israel, the place he lived along with his spouse, Miran, in line with the Hostage Households Discussion board.
