Israeli special forces have successfully rescued four hostages held in Nuseirat, central Gaza, amidst ongoing Israeli attacks and airstrikes that have resulted in the deaths of at least 93 Palestinians, including children, according to local medics.

The operation, the largest of its kind during the current conflict, freed three men and a woman who had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival. The rescued individuals were identified as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40.

While Israelis celebrated the hostages' return on Saturday night, Palestinians in Gaza mourned their dead and tended to the injured at the overcrowded al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital in the area. Nearly 100 bodies, along with more than 100 injured individuals, were brought to the hospital, according to spokesperson Khalil Degran. The Associated Press also reported seeing dozens of bodies, including that of a baby.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli attacks as a “bloody massacre” and called for an emergency UN Security Council session. The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, also condemned the attacks, describing them as another civilian massacre and urging an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that dozens of Palestinians had been killed, acknowledging that the number of casualties was “under 100” but could not specify how many were civilians.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised the special forces' operation, which involved air force and naval support. The forces operated under heavy fire in a complex urban environment, with one team facing militants and requiring backup after a rescue vehicle got stuck. Channel 12 reported that the extraction was conducted under heavy bombardment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the raid as a historic achievement and proof that “Israel does not surrender to terrorism.” He emphasized that military pressure remains the best strategy to ensure the return of all Israelis captured on October 7. However, Netanyahu faces increasing international pressure for a ceasefire and domestic calls to secure the return of all Israelis still held in Gaza.

Seven hostages have now been freed by Israeli forces, though most hostages returned home under a temporary ceasefire deal last November. Currently, 120 Israelis remain in Gaza, with a third presumed dead. Hostage families welcomed the latest rescue but urged the government to negotiate a ceasefire to save more lives, arguing that military operations alone cannot bring everyone back.

One officer from the counter-terrorism police unit was killed during the raid. A spokesperson for Hamas’s armed brigades, Abu Ubaida, claimed without evidence that some Israeli hostages had been killed during the operation.

All four freed hostages were reported to be in good health and were reunited with their families after medical evaluations in an Israeli hospital. Noa Argamani’s abduction had become widely known after a video of her being taken by two men on a motorbike went viral. Her mother, who has stage four cancer, expressed her joy at being reunited with her daughter, fulfilling her greatest wish.

Argamani's father, who met her on his birthday, described her release as a “gift” and urged Israelis to rally for the release of other hostages. Argamani also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, expressing relief at hearing Hebrew again.