Israeli Female Soldier Held Hostage by Hamas Rescued: "Ground Operation Crucial"

Israel Military's First Hostage Rescue Success
Advancing to Gaza City Outskirts, Siege Battle

The Israeli military announced that it rescued one Israeli female soldier who had been held hostage by the Palestinian armed group Hamas through a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities praised that the path to rescuing hostages will widen through the continued ground operations, while the urban warfare in the Gaza Strip is intensifying, and the fighting is expected to become fiercer.

Israeli soldier Ori Megidish (third from the left), who was captured by Hamas and rescued by the Israeli military, and his family.
[Image source=AP·Yonhap News]

According to the Times of Israel on the 30th (local time), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the intelligence agency Shin Bet announced in a joint statement that they rescued Private Ori Megidish of the Israeli military, who had been held hostage by Hamas since the 7th. She was reunited with her family in good health, and a family photo was also released.

Previously, Private Megidish was at the Nahal Oz military base in eastern Gaza Strip when she was taken hostage by Hamas along with other soldiers. The IDF stated that Private Megidish was rescued during the ground operation conducted last night but did not disclose specific details of the rescue process.

This is the first time since the outbreak of the conflict that the Israeli military has rescued a hostage through a ground operation. The Israeli government praised that ground operations, rather than negotiations, led to the hostage rescue and expressed its intention to further expand ground operations.

Defense Minister Yoav Galant emphasized at a press conference that "the rescue of Private Megidish is evidence that other hostages can also be rescued," adding, "This demonstrates our capability to approach hostages and the importance of ground operations." However, he noted that "the ongoing ground operations are not easy."

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is reported to have reached the outskirts of Gaza City, the center of the Gaza Strip. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said at a briefing, "Ground troops, tanks, infantry, and armored units are moving into the Gaza Strip," adding, "The Israeli military has advanced more than 2 miles (approximately 3.21 km) within the Gaza Strip. Our activities will be further intensified."

According to AFP, Israeli tanks have entered the outskirts of Gaza City, and the Israeli military has blocked Salah al-Din Road, a major road in Gaza City. The Israeli military is expected to gradually pressure Hamas by occupying parts of northern Gaza Strip and engage in urban warfare going forward.