Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, February 12th , 2024

Last night, we brought Louis and Fernando home. In a joint rescue operation by the IDF, the Israel Security Agency, and the Yamam – the special forces unit of the Israel Police, we rescued Louis Har and Fernando Marman, who were abducted by Hamas on October 7th from Nir Yitzhak.

This was a complex rescue operation under fire in the heart of Rafah, based on highly sensitive and valuable intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate and the Israel Security Agency.

The operational unit of the ISA, the Yamam Unit of the Police, the Southern Command along with forces from the 98th Division, Shayetet 13, and the soldiers of the 7th Armored Brigade, acted in a professional and precise manner. There was aerial coverage and a wave of strikes by the Israeli Air Force together with the Southern Command.

We have prepared for this operation for some time, with the necessary preparations made and waiting for conditions that would allow its implementation. In the early morning, at 01:49, the special forces breached into a building in the heart of Rafah.

On the second floor, Louis and Fernando were held by armed Hamas terrorists, who were present in the building along with terrorists who were in the adjacent buildings.

From the moment of the breach and entry into the apartment, Yamam forces shielded Louis and Fernando with their bodies, initiating a daring battle and heavy exchanges of fire at several locations simultaneously, with many terrorists.
By 01:50, aerial fire was activated by the Israeli Air Force and Southern Command, to enable the force's disengagement and to strike Hamas terrorists in the area.

At this stage, the forces extracted Louis and Fernando from the apartment and evacuated them under fire, accompanied by IDF forces who provided them protection in the Rafah area until they reached a safe zone.
There, they underwent initial medical examination by the forces in the field and were airlifted by a helicopter with soldiers of the Unit 669 for further medical treatment at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, where - with great emotion - they met with their families.

The Chief of the General Staff was together with the Head of the ISA and the Police Commissioner at the ISA's command center, along with additional commanders. From there, they made decisions, monitored, and commanded the forces in the operation. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense also arrived at the command center during the night and accompanied the operation. It was a very tense and emotional night.
Such an operation was made possible thanks to the great sacrifice of the mandatory and reserve soldiers throughout the war, especially those who fell and were injured in battles.
Without their effort, we would not have reached this moment.
Alongside the excitement, even this morning after the successful rescue operation, we do not forget for a moment that in Gaza, 134 hostages are still being held.
I want to address you this morning: if you are listening to me, know that we are determined to bring you back home.
We will not give up any opportunity to bring you back home.

Yesterday, I visited the family of Yaakov from Nir Oz, whose father, Yair, is still held hostage. His daughter, Shir, told me that since October 7th, their lives have turned into one long day filled with endless sunsets and sunrises. Her words are etched into me. For 134 families, the sun has yet to rise. This morning, there are two families for whom the sun has risen anew.
We will continue to make every possible effort to bring all the hostages home.