Gaza Health Ministry Reports 274 Dead in Israeli Hostage Rescue Operation
The Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza has reported that an Israeli raid on a refugee camp, aimed at rescuing four hostages, resulted in the deaths of 274 Palestinians, including children and other civilians. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved intense combat between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
The Israeli military, supported by air strikes, engaged in heavy gun battles to free the captives: Noa Argamani (26), Almog Meir Jan (22), Andrei Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (41). These individuals were abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7 and have now been safely returned to Israel.
While the Israeli military estimated fewer than 100 casualties in the operation, the figures from the Gaza health ministry, if verified, would mark one of the deadliest days of the current conflict. Residents of the densely populated area have recounted the horror of the bombardment and gunfire. Abdel Salam Darwish, a local, described the aftermath: “Afterwards, people’s bodies were in pieces, scattered in the streets, and blood stained the walls.”
The return of the hostages has been met with celebration in Israel, and international leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have praised their release. However, the high civilian toll has drawn sharp criticism. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, condemned the operation, calling reports of civilian casualties “appalling.”
An Israeli minister countered, arguing that the EU should criticize Hamas for using civilians as shields rather than condemning Israel for rescuing its citizens.
The Raid's Aftermath and Global Reactions
Footage and images from the Nuseirat camp show the extent of the destruction and the deep grief among the survivors. Hospitals in Gaza, particularly al-Aqsa and al-Awda, have reported handling scores of bodies and severe injuries, with facilities overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Dr. Marwan Abu Nasser of al-Awda Hospital spoke about the dire conditions, including a lack of morgue space.
Eyewitness accounts from Gaza paint a grim picture. One man, who lost more than 40 family members since the conflict began, recounted a house strike that killed nearly everyone inside, leaving only four survivors out of fifty.
Amid the devastation, some Gazans have voiced rare criticism of Hamas. Hassan Omar, a 37-year-old resident, lamented the loss of lives and suggested that negotiating the release of Palestinian prisoners would have been preferable to the bloodshed.
Political Implications and Future Prospects
The rescue mission coincides with ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and negotiate the release of more hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to reach an agreement but faces opposition from hardline allies advocating for continued military action.
The success of Saturday’s operation, the most effective hostage rescue by Israel in this conflict, might influence Netanyahu’s strategic decisions moving forward. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, however, has stated that the group will not agree to a ceasefire without guarantees for Palestinian security.
Since the October 7 attacks, which saw Hamas killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, efforts to secure their release have been ongoing. A recent deal in November resulted in a temporary ceasefire and the exchange of 105 hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
The health ministry in Gaza now reports that the death toll from the conflict has reached 37,084, underscoring the extensive human cost of the hostilities.
