Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on February 12 met with commandos who rescued two hostages from the Gaza Strip, describing the operation as a “turning point” in the war against Islamist group Hamas.

In an operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces rescued two people who had been abducted from an apartment building in a Hamas cross-border attack on October 7 last year.

“Hamas is weakened and we know we can reach anywhere,” Gallant said in a video released by the Defense Ministry. “Further operations are coming soon.”

At the same time, he said the “vast majority” of hostages in Gaza would be rescued through agreements rather than through military operations.

Gallant’s positive assessment comes as civilians demand the remaining hostages be released through negotiations, as well as concerns from foreign governments and aid groups about the ground operation in Rafah.

Meanwhile, the widespread destruction in Gaza during the four-month conflict has become “emblematic” that those who do harm to Israel must pay a “very heavy price,” Gallant said.

Of the roughly 250 hostages taken by Hamas, around 130 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 29 of them have died. (c)AFP