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🔴 11:00 a.m: The two teams on the ground receive the order to "act" which was personally approved in real time by the head of the Shin Bet and the Chief of Staff. They attack the buildings simultaneously and in full coordination, at the same second, to prevent the terrorists in the second target from discovering this - which would endanger the abductees.

11:10 a.m: While the elimination of the terrorists who guarded Argamni and the rescue goes relatively smoothly, the operation in the second building is much more complicated. Zamora's commander's team reports that he was injured in the exchange of fire. The fighters who eliminated the terrorists at that target take care of their commander and try to save him on the way out of the building, under increasing fire.

11:15 a.m: The announcement that everyone was waiting for is reported. "The diamonds are in our hands" - meaning, the stolen ones are with us.

11:20 a.m.: Under the cover of the delay, dozens of terrorists gather around the building where the three hostages were held, and hundreds more armed men approach from all sides with RPGs, PK machine guns and Kalashnikov rifles. They run through the crowded alleys and the nearby market, crowded with thousands of Gazans.

11:22 a.m: The troops try to escape in the rescue vehicle, but it is hit by heavy fire and begins to falter. Major General of the Southern Command Yaron Finkelman then activates the rescue plan that was prepared in advance.

11:25 a.m: Air Force fighter jets and helicopters launch dozens of weapons at the terrorists in order to isolate the arena. Hundreds of fighters from the 7th Brigades, the Paratroopers, Givati, and Kafir who were stationed as reinforcements are jumped on foot as well as in tanks and anti-aircraft guns into the refugee camp, and navy ships are covering from the west.

11:30 a.m: The reinforcement forces and the air force manage to isolate the main battle scene, thus providing a safe escape route for the main force with the three hostages. The Southern Command abnormally authorizes Air Force attack helicopters to land for rescue deep in the Gaza Strip, covered by the fire of fighter jets. The fire from the air hits the terrorists, tens of meters from the soldiers.

11:50 a.m: The last fighters from the special forces get on the helicopters that take off to the hospitals in Israel. Attempts to revive Pekad Zamora continue even in the air, but at the hospital they are forced to declare his death. The reinforcements from the IDF brigades continue to engage the terrorists in the shell of the operation - and eliminate dozens more of them, until the end of the operation.

13:33 a.m : The IDF, the Shin Bet and the police officially announce the rescue of the four hostages, and spontaneous celebrations begin - both in Israel and among Israelis abroad.

Yoav Zeyton