Watan-The Israeli occupation army claimed to have liberated two Israeli prisoners held by Palestinian resistance in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, in a nighttime military operation.
This came alongside intense and unprecedented shelling on the city, resulting in the martyrdom of dozens of Palestinians, including a young girl, and the injury of scores more.
Statements from the Israeli Defense Minister Israeli Defense Minister
Yoav Galant said the operation was conducted with the participation of the army, special forces belonging to the police, and the General Security Service (Shin Bet), claiming it led to the release of prisoners Fernando Simon Marman (60 years old) and Louis Har (70 years old).
Galant confirmed that the prisoners are in good health and have been transferred for medical examination at Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital.
الناطق العسكري الإسرائيلي: قوات من الشاباك وكوماندوز الجيش والبحرية واليمام نفذت عملية معقدة وحررت رهينتين لدى حماس في رفح#حرب_غزة #الأخبار pic.twitter.com/n5nYonP3uy
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) February 12, 2024
Statements from the Israeli military spokesperson
In a related context, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that the forces carried out a complex operation inside a building, engaging in clashes with Hamas fighters during the liberation operation.
Hagari claimed that the army had prepared for the prisoners’ release for a long time based on intelligence, emphasizing that the executing forces arrived at the location covertly, receiving substantial support from other units of the air force.
Hamas responds to the massacre in Rafah
For its part, Hamas stated that the Nazi Israeli army’s attack on the city of Rafah and its commission of horrific massacres against innocent civilians, including displaced children, women, and elderly individuals, resulting in the martyrdom of over 100 people so far, constitutes a continuation of the genocide and forced displacement against the Palestinian people.
Hamas added in a statement: “The terrorist enemy army’s attack on the city of Rafah is a compound crime, a continuation of the genocide, and an expansion of the massacres committed against our people, given the tragic conditions experienced by this city due to the congestion of nearly 1.4 million citizens, turning its streets into camps for the displaced, living in extremely difficult and harsh conditions due to the lack of the basic necessities of life.”
#عاجل | حماس: هجوم الاحتلال على رفح وارتكابه مجازر راح ضحيتها أكثر من 100 شهيد استمرار لحرب الإبادة الجماعية ضد الفلسطينيين pic.twitter.com/zVHcJzyF1U
— التلفزيون العربي (@AlarabyTV) February 12, 2024
They continued, “Netanyahu’s terrorist government and its Nazi army disregard the decisions of the International Court of Justice issued two weeks ago, which approved urgent measures, including stopping any acts that could be considered genocidal.”
Hamas pointed out that the US administration and President Joe Biden personally bear full responsibility, along with the occupation government, for this massacre, due to the green light they gave to Netanyahu yesterday, and the open support they provide him with in terms of money, weapons, and political cover to continue the genocide and massacres.
Hamas called on the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the UN Security Council to take urgent and serious action to stop the Zionist aggression and the ongoing genocide crimes against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.