Israel rescues 4 hostages from Gaza as airstrikes kill more than 200 Palestinians | Top 7 updates

Israeli forces rescued four hostages from a refugee camp in Nuseirat on Saturday as the war in Gaza entered its ninth month. The Hamas-led Palestinian government said that at least 210 people were killed and around 400 injured during Israeli attacks on the central Gaza camp. News of the hostage rescue was welcomed by US President Joe Biden who also vowed to work until all the he captives were freed and a ceasefire brokered.

Meanwhile jubiliant celebrations broke out in Israel as the army returned Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv to their families. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after 246 days in captivity.

“Today, Israel carried out a remarkable rescue operation, freeing four hostages held by Hamas. We're committed to getting the release of all the hostages, and we expect Hamas to release them all — but if they don't, we'll do whatever it takes to get them all back home,” Netanyahu said during an official address.

He also accused Hamas of “committing war crimes every day” and lauded Israeli soldiers for their efforts.

“Our soldiers are performing in the most valiant and moral way to end this war with a victory against these killers and against these kidnappers, and we shall prevail,” he added.

Here are the latest updates:

• Israeli special forces rescued four hostages from Hamas while operating ‘under heavy fire in a complex urban environment’.
  “Our troops showed so much courage - operating under heavy fire in the most complex urban environment in Gaza. This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israel’s defense establishment,” said a statement from the office of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
• Hamas leaders however remained defiant as fighting continued. A Reuters reporters quoted members of the militant group as noting on Saturday that it ‘still held the largest number of hostages and could increase it’.

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• Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh added that the "resistance will continue" after deadly fighting in the central Gaza refugee camp. 
  "Our people will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend our rights in the face of this criminal enemy," Haniyeh said in a statement.
• The developments were also welcomed by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. The POTUS vowed to continue working “until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached”. Macron also congratulated the families over the release of the hostages.
• Macron and Biden discussed the Gaza conflict during talks in Paris on Saturday. The two countries have said that they will work harder than ever to prevent a regional escalation of the ongoing war and focus on calming tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
  "We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon," Macron told reporters with Biden at his side.

ALSO READ: Israel, Hezbollah on brink of ‘full-scale war’; pressure on PM Netanyahu to secure border

• Two people were killed on Saturday as Israeli airstrikes hit the outskirts of the southern Lebanese town of Aitaroun. A statement from the IDF said that its soldiers had launched an airstrike after identifying a Hezbollah militant in the area. Hezbollah said it had retaliated by firing rockets at Malkia in northern Israel. This was followed by a salvo of missiles at a military command centre in northern Israel using the Falaq 2 rockets.
• Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he had asked war cabinet minister Benny Gantz to not resign. The official had threatened to resign last month if the PM failed to approve a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

(With inputs from agencies)