We have learned new details about the recent rescue mission conducted by the Israeli military in Gaza. The Israeli Defence Force has released footage showcasing the operation, revealing that the plan had been in development for weeks. The IDF had identified two residential buildings located approximately 650 feet apart where four hostages were being held. To prepare for the mission, they constructed models of these buildings for training purposes.
The operation involved hundreds of personnel and resulted in the successful rescue of the four Israeli hostages. Tragically, one Israeli soldier lost his life during the mission. However, the aftermath of the operation has sparked controversy due to the significant civilian casualties. According to reports from hospital directors and the Gaza media office, over 270 Palestinians lost their lives, with hundreds more sustaining injuries.
The IDF disputes these figures, claiming the number of casualties was lower than reported. The conflicting accounts have led to accusations of a massacre from neighboring countries and criticism from the EU's top diplomat. Israel has defended its actions, attributing the civilian casualties to Hamas's practice of hiding hostages among the civilian population.
The impact of the operation on Gaza's healthcare system was evident, with hospitals struggling to manage the influx of trauma cases. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in particular, faced challenges in coping with the high volume of patients requiring urgent medical attention.
