IDF rescue two hostages in dramatic Gaza raid that killed at least 67 locals

Rafah, Feb 12: Israeli forces rescued two hostages early Monday, storming a heavily guarded apartment in the Gaza Strip and extracting the captives under fire in a dramatic raid that was a small but symbolically significant success for Israel. The operation killed at least 67 Palestinians, including women and children, according to Palestinian health officials in the beleaguered territory. To assist the rescue forces, heavy airstrikes pounded the area near the apartment in Rafah, a city on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip where 1.4 million Palestinians have fled to escape fighting elsewhere in the Israel-Hamas war.
The raid was celebrated in Israel as a victory in the sluggish battle to free the hostages, with more than 100 captives still held by Hamas and other Gaza militants, and briefly lifted the spirits of a nation still reeling from Hamas’ cross-border raid last year.
But in Gaza, where civilians have borne a staggering toll since the war erupted on October 7, the operation unleashed another wartime tragedy, with many Palestinians killed or wounded.
More than 12,300 Palestinian minors – children and young teens – have been killed in Israel’s war against Hamas, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday. That means minors make up about 43 per cent of the total number of 28,176 Palestinians killed so far. About 8,400 women were also among those killed.
The ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, provided the breakdown of minors and women at the request of The Associated Press.
Israel claims to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters. The plight of the hostages has profoundly shaken Israelis and the government has made freeing the dozens of remaining captives a top aim of its war, along with destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted persistent military pressure will bring about their freedom – a position he repeated on Monday – even as other top officials have opposed this, saying a deal is the only way to secure their release.
UNRWA says it’s critical to receive EU aid soon
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Monday that it’s vital that it receives new European Union funding within weeks because Israel appears to be readying a ground assault on Rafah, where many civilians have taken refuge.
The aid agency UNRWA is reeling from allegations that 12 of its 13,000 Gaza staff participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel.UNRWA immediately fired the staff, but more than a dozen countries suspended funding worth about USD 440 million, almost half of UNRWA’s budget for 2024.
Asked how important it is that UNRWA receive an 82 million euro (USD 88 million) EU payment by the end of the month, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said, “It’s absolutely critical.” He has previously warned that the agency might be forced to close by the end of the month. (AP)