Noa Argamani among 4 hostages rescued from Gaza, Israeli forces say: live updates

Israel's military and security services rescued four hostages alive from two separate locations in the central Gaza area of al-Nuseirat on Saturday, in what was described as a complex daytime operation.

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The four hostages, three men and one woman, were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year. They were identified by Israel's Defense Forces as Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41.

The military said they appeared to be in good health and were being taken to a hospital for further health checks.

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"They are back home in Israel. They are alive. They are well," IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a briefing.

All four hostages were taken captive by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, when about 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed and an estimated over 250 were taken hostage. Israeli authorities estimate about 116 of the hostages are left in Gaza, 40 of whom are believed dead.

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In the devastating siege by Israel's military on Gaza that followed, over 36,800 Palestinians have been killed and 83,680 have been injured, the health ministry in Gaza said Saturday, including dozens who were killed and injured in the last day.

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Latest developments:

∎ Families of the eight American hostages still captive in Gaza praised the IDF for its rescue operation Saturday, and said in a statement: "Until every individual is safely returned home, our commitment and efforts must not waver. We urge President Biden, world leaders, and the international community to continue their relentless pursuit to return each hostage to their loved ones where they belong.”

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Colombia President Gustavo Petro said it will stop exporting coal to Israel, "until the genocide is stopped," in a social media post Saturday.

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Who is Noa Argamani?

Argamani was one of several hostages kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7. 

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