‘The Diamonds are in Our Hands’: Timeline of Gaza Hostage Rescue Mission

Here is a timeline of the hostage rescue operation – Operation Arnon. All times are in Israel time.

Thursday, 6:30 PM: In a classified meeting, political leaders approve the operation following weeks of meticulous planning, drills and advanced intelligence tracking. The operation is initially dubbed Summer Seeds.

Shabbos, 10:00 AM: Two main strike teams, disguised as Arabs, embark from multiple directions toward the Nuseirat refugee camp near the coast. Moving stealthily in broad daylight, both teams approach the two buildings where the hostages are held, unnoticed by thousands of Palestinians and hundreds of local Hamas operatives.

Palestinian reports claimed the forces entered using a humanitarian aid truck, and Al Jazeera aired footage purportedly showing IDF vehicles from the moments following the operation. The IDF denied this, and denied the use of the American pier in the operation.

10:45 AM: Various un-identified ground surveillance and airborne technological tracking technologies confirmed the area was clear, with no suspicious movement detected in the two buildings. Noa Argamani was held in one building, while the other three hostages were in the second building, along with Gazan families and armed guards.

10:50 AM: Live footage the alleys, spanning hundreds of meters between the two targets, were transmitted to screens in two command centers overseeing the operation. One command center was the Shin Bet’s central command, attended by service head Ronen Bar and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and the second command center was the Southern Command in Be’er Sheva, where the regional commander directed the surrounding forces and the rescue operation.

11:00 AM: The two ground teams are given the official go-ahead command, which was personally approved in real-time by the Shin Bet head and IDF chief. The teams simultaneously storm the buildings to prevent the terrorists in the second target from discovering the operation and endangering the hostages.

1:10 AM: The elimination of the guards and the rescue of Noa Argamani proceed relatively smoothly. However the operation in the second building encounters significant complications. Chief Inspector Zamora’s team reports casualties during the firefight. After neutralizing the terrorists, the commandos tend to their wounded commander and attempt to evacuate him under heavy gunfire.

11:15 AM: “The diamonds are in our hands,” message is relayed over the radio, indicating the hostages are secured.

11:20 AM: Dozens of terrorists gather around the building where the three hostages were held. Hundreds of terrorists, armed with RPGs, PK machine gun, and AK-47 rifles start approaching from all directions. They navigate through the narrow alleys and the nearby market, crowded with thousands of Gazans.

11:22 AM: The forces attempt to escape in their rescue vehicle, but it is hit by heavy fire. Southern Command chief Yaron Finkelman activates a pre-planned extraction strategy.

11:25 AM: Dozens of munitions are fired by air Force fighter jets and helicopters at the terrorists to isolate the area. Hundreds of reinforcements from the 7th Armored Brigade, Paratroopers, Givati and Kfir brigades, mobilized as backup, are deployed on foot, in tanks and Namer APCs into the refugee camp, with Navy vessels providing cover from the west.

11:30 AM: The main combat area is successfully isolated by the reinforcement troops and the Air Force. They secure a safe escape route for the main force with the three hostages. In a rare move, Southern Command authorizes Air Force Sikorsky helicopters to land deep within the Gaza Strip for extraction, under the cover of fighter jet fire. Aerial strikes target terrorists just a few dozen yards away from the soldiers.

11:50 AM: The last special forces operatives board the helicopters, which take off for hospitals in Israel. Sadly, despite continued efforts to resuscitate Chief Inspector Zamora during the flight, he is pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The reinforcement troops from IDF brigades continue fighting with terrorists on the operation’s perimeter, eliminating dozens more until the mission concludes.

1:33 PM: The IDF, Shin Bet and police officially announce the rescue of the four hostages.

{Matzav.com}