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Israel Liberates IDF Private Held Hostage by Hamas in Ground Operation; Israelis Celebrate Across Nation
by Andrew Bernard
Israel Defense Forces Private Ori Megidish (center) after her rescue from Hamas on 30 October, 2023. (Photo: Israel Defense Forces)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s Shin Bet security service on Monday announced that an IDF private held hostage by Hamas was liberated during ground operations in Gaza.
Pvt. Ori Megidish, from the city of Kiryat Gat, was captured during Hamas’ invasion of Israel on Oct. 7. Since her recovery on Monday, Israel says she has received medical attention, is doing well, and has been reunited with her family.
The news of Megidish’s return and the tearful reunion of the young soldier with her family was met with jubilation across the war-torn country, with spontaneous celebrations of Israelis dancing on the streets in Kiryat Gat, Ashkelon and other cities, according to videos posted on social media.
“The joy tonight in Kiryat Gat and in every house in Israel was not felt with the same intensity in previous liberations because the joy now is twofold,” wrote Israeli journalist Yair Cherki on Twitter. “For the release of Uri, and for the fact that for the first time we are not watching a show that Hamas is running but taking the initiative. Our sense of ability and confidence in ourselves returns.”
https://twitter.com/Now14Israel/status/1719050932967637005
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on Monday said that Israel is committed to rescuing all of the more than 200 hostages currently being held by Hamas.
“I commend the ISA and the IDF for this important and moving achievement, which expresses our commitment to bring about the release of all the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “To the terrorists of Hamas and ISIS I say – you are monsters. We will continue to pursue you. We will continue to hunt you. We will strike you until you fall at our feet.”
Five hostages have now been recovered from Hamas. Megidish is the first Israeli soldier who has been rescued.
