2024-02-12 17:00:06
Freed. Louis Norberto Har, 70, and Fernando Marman, 60, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023, were detained in an apartment in Rafah, according to information from the Israeli army, when a commando tore them from the yoke of Hamas. A breath of hope is sweeping through Israeli society, after the failure of negotiations with the Islamist terrorist movement to obtain a truce, while an offensive is being prepared on Rafah, the last town in the south of the Gaza Strip.
One hundred and thirty-four more hostages
“I prayed a lot for them,” book to The cross Nathan B. west of Jerusalem. Adam, back two weeks ago, after four months of military service in Gaza, confides: “One of my comrades in arms came from Nir Yitzhak, like the two hostages we rescued. I am happy for him, their families and their friends. And I am proud of this operation… but the war is not over. »
Idan Begerano, son-in-law of Louis Norberto Har, is finally breathing, but says he feels “still incomplete”. “We still have 134 hostages, we have to bring them back. Not necessarily militarily, but we have to bring them back. » Hamas nevertheless warned, Saturday February 10, that the expected offensive on Rafah “would threaten the negotiations” for the release of the hostages, the operation being likely to “tens of thousands of dead and injured”.
Researcher Meir Elran, director of the internal research group of the INSS (Institute for National Security Studies) believes that the operation must absolutely be “surgical” to succeed, and that it will be considered as a ” failure “ if it does not allow the majority of the hostages to be brought back. “Israel has put everything in place to recover them, through a dual strategy of talks and military. The operation, led by Shabak, was a high-risk operation. It was a very heavy decision to make, and crucial for the morale of the country,” indicates this expert who in the past played an active role in peace talks with Egypt and then with Jordan.
The operation whatever it costs
The release of Louis Norberto Har and Fernando Marman is only the second successful operation of this type since October 7, 2023. The first was the rescue of soldier Ori Megidish at the end of October. The next step would be the ground assault on the Rafah camp: “It must be done, and it will be done,” assures Meir Elran. The international community is warning of a disaster in this city where 1.3 million Palestinian civilians are crowded together.
“I believe that our allies, the United States and Europe, understand very well what we are doing in Gaza, and as since the beginning of the conflict, they will not intervene,” anticipates the specialist. According to him, Israel will take the time it takes to take into account the humanitarian issue.
“The assault will not come immediately. For this operation to take place, the operations in Khan Younes must first be completed. he adds. It will then be the turn of Rafah, which has become a gigantic encampment, the last urban center where the Israeli army has not yet launched a ground assault.
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