Israeli strikes kill two in Lebanon, dismisses claims by Hamas of killing hostages – MASHAHER

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: THE LATEST

• Two people were killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese town of Aitaroun, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. In a statement, the Israeli military said that its soldiers identified a Hezbollah terrorist in the Aitaroun area, and that soon afterwards an Israeli aircraft had carried out an airstrike that hit the individual. Israeli forces launched two missiles targeting a cafe at a petrol station.

• On Saturday, Israel carried out its largest hostage rescue operation since the latest war with Hamas began, taking four to safety out of central Gaza in a heavy air and ground assault. Israelis were jubilant as the army said it freed Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41, in a daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations at once while under fire. All were well, the military said. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after 246 days held.

• Hamas’s armed al-Qassam Brigades on Saturday said that some hostages were killed in Israel’s hostage freeing operation at al-Nuseirat refugee camp and nearby areas in central Gaza. Later, an Israeli army spokesman denied the claim, calling it a ‘blatant lie’.

• Intelligence provided by the United States helped Israel carry out the successful mission to rescue the four hostages from Gaza, according to The New York Times. Citing unnamed American and Israeli officials briefed on the matter, the outlet says 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, after they called for new elections and the return of the remaining hostages held in captivity in Gaza, hours after Israel rescued four hostages. The roads were later cleared for traffic.