Two Years Since Operation ‘Arnon’

To learn more about the Israel-Gaza war, click here.

During the two and a half years that hostages from the October 7 Massacre were held in Gaza, the IDF has executed a number of complex and precise hostage return operations. Today marks the two-year anniversary of Operation Arnon, in which four hostages were returned home in a daring rescue operation in broad daylight.

Preparations for the Operation

Before the operation was carried out on June 8th, 2024, IDF troops gathered information on the hostages’ location: the Nuseirat refugee camp. Noa Argamani was held at one civilian building, while Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were held in another. 

The hostages were purposely held in densely populated areas with the intent of using Gazan civilians as human shields. (To read more about Hamas' unlawful use of human shields, click here.)

Due to the sensitivity of the operation, troops practiced operational scenarios without knowing what they were training for. Secrecy was crucial - if word of the plan reached Hamas, the hostages would be moved, and the window of opportunity provided by the precise intelligence would close.

Infantry troops prepared the area for action, clearing access routes and eliminating terrorists who might pose a threat. Right before the troops were given the final ‘go’, commanders reviewed updated intelligence and determined whether it was possible to carry out the plan and bring the hostages back alive.

At 11 a.m., special forces raided the two buildings simultaneously and rescued the hostages from armed Hamas terrorists. All the while, the Israeli Air Force, Southern Command forces, and the Israeli Navy provided protective fire support.

Operation ‘Arnon’ Aftermath

During the rescue efforts, police Yamam fighter, Arnon Zamora, was injured, and was brought to a hospital in Israel via helicopter alongside the four freed hostages, who tearfully reunited with their loved ones. Later that day, he passed away from his gun-inflicted wounds. It was decided to name the operation ‘Arnon’ in his memory. 

The operation was a brave endeavour, and part of larger efforts at the time to return the hostages. Additionally, it exposed how Hamas handled the hostages and its general disregard for human life. By holding hostages deep within civilian areas of Gaza, Hamas endangered civilians and exploited their presence to facilitate its terrorist activities.