Israeli military forces successfully conducted a rescue operation in the central Gaza region of al-Nuseirat on Saturday, freeing four hostages who had been held captive since being abducted from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7 of the previous year.

The individuals rescued were Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Following their release, they were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and were reported to be in good health.

This operation took place amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza that began with a Hamas-led attack on October 7. Israeli authorities estimate that 116 of the approximately 250 hostages initially taken by militants remain in Gaza, with at least 40 declared dead in absentia.