Who Were the Brave Faces Behind Operation 'Arnon'?

On June 8 in the heart of Gaza and two different camps, the ISA and IDF troops went on a daring rescue operation that brought home four hostages kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv. Here is a breakdown of the historic operation that brought them back home. 

The Intelligence Behind the Operation

The operation occurred after many weeks of accurate intelligence gathering conducted by the ISA and the Hostage Task Force in the Intelligence Directorate (J2), and the preliminary information on the whereabouts of the hostages at both locations was compiled, as well as the intelligence that enabled the operational conditions of the rescue. That led to the conclusion that the four hostages were within populated neighborhoods inside of civilian houses in the Nuseirat camp, with armed men guarding them at all times.

In the last moments before starting the operation, the Command Team examined the intelligence in real-time and understood whether it was possible to carry out the plan and return the hostages alive. Only when the conclusion was positive, the order to "go" was given at 11 A.M., and the fighters conducted targeted operations within the 2 different buildings at the same time. Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv were held together in one of them, and Noa Argamani was alone. Armed terrorists were surrounding them.

Who Were the Troops Involved in the Rescue Mission?

The operation began with the 98th division's entry into combat in the center of Gaza a few days earlier. The Paratrooper Brigade Combat Team led the operation to rescue the hostages and to assist the special forces during the mission while under fire and transported them to the helicopter boarding point in the heart of Gaza. Infantry soldiers of the Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit, Unit 5515, Shayetet 13, the Givati Reconnaissance Unit and the Armored Battalion (532) took part in the operation. The 7th Brigade Combat Team, which included armored forces, engineering forces and soldiers of the Rotem Battalion, operated efficiently and quickly to eliminate terrorists and terrorist infrastructure to enable the rescue of the hostages.

IAF aircraft simultaneously struck approximately 40 terrorist targets to ensure the success of the operation.

"We carried out targeted operations…we eliminated terrorists in the area," explains the commander of the Kfir Brigade, Major Eliav, "we worked precisely, we worked on the roads around Nuseirat and in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, so that vehicles could pass easily at the moment of truth."

The Rescue of Noa Argamani

Operational activity to rescue Noa Argamani happened under cover of fire from the Air Force, the Southern Command, and naval assistance from the Navy. "We got there very quickly, and realized that there was one incident that went smoothly, and another that was more complex," MAJ Daniel recalled the dramatic moments, "The special forces rescued Noa Argamani, we met her under fire - and sent her to a more secure point." She was directed to the Yanshuf helicopter in a short amount of time and from there took off to Israeli territory.

"When you realize that you are a part of it, the feeling is powerful and meaningful. A soldier of mine told me that the first time he cried since the beginning of the war was when he saw Noa Argamani," describes the Company Commander, "in these moments - we all work together. You hear the tanks, the planes in the sky and the aid from the sea, and feel a tailwind. Both from them and the entire nation of Israel."

The Rescue of Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv

The second location, where Almog, Andrei and Shlomi were held, was more complicated. After tense and dramatic moments and rescuing the evacuation vehicle under fire, the three were also rescued and boarded a helicopter, and the soldiers who were part of the rescue team delivered the message they wished to give throughout the operation: "The diamonds are in our hands." 

But during the battles, the commander of the Israeli Police team who was on the front lines, the late Commander Arnon Zamora, was wounded by the gunfire from terrorists and later succumbed to his wounds.

"For 8 months the fighters have been working very hard," describes Commander of the Givati patrol, "we are determined to leave no stone unturned, wherever necessary, to bring our people home. It is a huge privilege to participate in such an operation, and yesterday it was a 'breath of fresh air' [and motivation] to continue on and on. In the last 8 months, I do not remember a crazier feeling. It was something else. The adrenaline still hasn't subsided."