Rescue of Ori Megidish

The beginning of the light operation מבצע ראשית האור
Part of the Israel–Hamas war
Private Magidish with her family after her return
Date 30 October 2023; 5 months ago (2023-10-30) Location Gaza Strip Result Private Megidish was rescued

The rescue of Ori Megidish was an Israel Defense Forces military operation (Hebrew: מבצע ראשית האור, Mivtza Reshit ha'Or, lit. Operation Beginning of the Light) on 30 October 2023 during the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza that led to the rescue of Israeli soldier Uri Magidish from Hamas imprisonment in Gaza to Israel. Megidish was rescued in a joint operation between the IDF and the Israeli Shin Bet, based on specific intelligence of her whereabouts. Two Hamas militants were killed during the operation. ^[1][2]

Megidish's rescue was the first successful rescue operation by Israel in about two decades, and the first of the Israel-Hamas war.

Abduction

On 7 October 2023, Ori Megidish was an 18-years-old private in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). She was a field observer at the Nahal Oz base, watching for threats along the Israel-Gaza border by analyzing video filmed by cameras along the border fences. During the Hamas-led attack on Israel, she and other members of her unit were taken hostage after Hamas militants overran and briefly took over the Nahal Oz military base. Only two members of her unit escaped death or abduction.^[3][4]

While Megidish was kidnapped along with other soldiers from her base, she was believed to have been held in captivity alone.^[5]

Rescue

Megidish's rescue overnight on 30 October in Gaza was the first successful rescue operation by Israel in about two decades, and the first of the Israel-Hamas war. Hamas had previously released four prisoners that included foreign citizens and older Israelis.^[6][3][7]

Other prisoners were released according to the November 2023 Israeli–Palestinian prisoner exchange, during which Israel released Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Two others, Fernando Simon Marman and Luis Herr, were rescued on 12 February 2024, by the Shin Bet and Yamam in Operation Golden Hand.^[8]

Aftermath

After her rescue, Megidish reportedly shared information with the Israeli military and intelligence officers about her captivity.^[6] Widespread celebrations were held in her hometown of Kiryat Gat after her release, and she met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in January 2024.^[4] She also celebrated the release of other hostages during the November 2023 prisoner exchange by posting to social media celebrating their return and wishing that all prisoners and their families could reunite as she had.^[9]

On 26 February 2024, Megidish, since promoted to corporal, returned to active IDF service in the Military Intelligence Directorate.^[5]

References