Captured IDF soldier rescued from Gaza
IDF soldier Pvt. Ori Megidish has been rescued from the Gaza Strip in an overnight operation after being captured by the Hamas terror group.
IDF soldier Pvt. Ori Megidish was rescued during a ground operation overnight.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet say Pvt. Megidish is in good condition, and has met with her family.
Megidish was an observation soldier, taken hostage by Hamas when terrorists stormed the Nahal Oz base on October 7, Megidish was believed to have been held alone, though other members of her unit were also captured.
The Shin Bet security agency and Israel Defense Forces are unlikely to reveal further information on how IDF soldier Pvt. Ori Megidish was rescued from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, to prevent harm to future operations.
The operation was planned several days in advance and it is thought that during the overnight activity, Hamas showed resistance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed home Pvt. Megidish, congratulating the IDF and Shin Bet “for this important and moving achievement, which shows our commitment to bringing all of the hostages home”.
He called the Hamas terrorists “monsters,” saying Israel will continue to pursue them.
Later speaking with Sky News Australia, IDF spokesperson Lt Colonel Jonathan Conricus said, “We are striking inside the Gaza Strip, we are operating on the ground, with ground troops engaging with the enemy and striking the enemy whenever it is in those areas.”
“In a short moment of joy for Israel, one of our 238 hostages was freed in a joint rescue operation performed by different Israeli special forces: IDF and ISA – our Internal Security Agency – based on dedicated intelligence, facilitated by the fact that we have ground troops in Gaza operating.
“We are operating using all of the assets we have available against Hamas with good results, and are very committed to returning all of our 238 hostages and to dismantle Hamas.”
Ltd Colonel Conricus has not ruled out negotiations for the return of the remaining hostages.
“We’re not negotiating with Hamas, there are intermediaries in the picture,” he said.
“Of course (we have not given up on negotiations). I don’t think the State of Israel would ever say no to any possibility of Israeli hostages being returned, whether it is direct, indirect, by force or through diplomacy.
“In whatever way, it is great, and the ultimate aim is to have Israelis back home with their loved ones, as safe and sound as quickly as possible.
“Nothing would be ruled out by Israel.”
– WITH TIMES OF ISRAEL
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