Two years after the dramatic hostage rescue operation "Golden Hand," new footage has been released from the body cameras of Shayetet 13 commandos, documenting the moments of departure from the Gaza Strip back to Israel, shortly after the rescue of hostages Luis Har and Fernando Marman.
Operation "Golden Hand" was a joint operation by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Yamam (Israel's National Counter-Terrorism Unit), designed to rescue Fernando Marman and Luis Har from the Rafah refugee camp. The two were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak during the terror attack on October 7, 2023, and were held in an apartment on the second floor of a building in the heart of Rafah.
About a month before the operation, forces began preparations and dedicated training, but only on February 12 did the intelligence and operational conditions mature to allow its execution. Yamam forces arrived secretly to the heart of Rafah, passed three Hamas battalions, and reached the building where the hostages were held.
The breach was carried out using a specialized explosive charge, and within seconds, the three terrorists guarding the hostages were eliminated. Two fighters wrapped the hostages with their bodies to protect them from fire, while the rest of the force cleared the floor and removed the threat. The hostages were lowered using rappelling ropes directly from the second floor, to avoid passing through the first floor where additional risk existed.
During the rescue, terrorists fired at the forces, but Yamam snipers and the Air Force provided close cover. Simultaneously, the Air Force attacked Hamas command posts and headquarters in the area, aiming to disrupt their ability to build situational awareness and send reinforcements. An attempt by terrorists to chase the force using vehicles was thwarted from the air.
Approximately a thousand fighters and soldiers took part in the operation, which lasted about an hour. Present in the operational command post were senior security officials including the head of Shin Bet, the Chief of Staff, the Police Commissioner, the head of Military Intelligence, and the Commander of the Air Force.
