Israel-Hamas War: Latest

• Two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Aitaroun on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. In a statement, the Israeli military said its soldiers identified a Hezbollah militant in the Aitaroun area, and that an Israeli aircraft carried out an airstrike shortly afterwards, killing the man. The Israeli military fired two missiles targeting a cafe at a petrol station.
• on Saturday, Israel conducts its largest hostage rescue operation Four people were rescued from central Gaza in a heavy air and ground offensive since the latest war with Hamas began. The army said it freed Noa Arghamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41, in a daylong operation in central Nuseirat that involved raiding two locations simultaneously during a shootout. The army said all were fine. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after 246 days in captivity.

• Hamas’ armed Al-Qassam Brigades said on Saturday that some hostages had been killed in Israel’s hostage rescue operation in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp and surrounding areas in central Gaza. Later, an Israeli army spokesman denied the claim, calling it a “blatant lie”.

• According to The New York Times, intelligence provided by the United States helped Israel carry out the successful mission to rescue four hostages from Gaza. Citing unnamed American and Israeli officials briefed on the matter, the outlet said a team of American officials in Israel helped by “providing intelligence and other logistical support.”

• At least 33 protesters were arrested during demonstrations in Tel Aviv on Saturday. The protesters demanded new elections and the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Hours later, Israel freed four hostages. The roads were later opened to traffic.