This is the first successful extraction of captives held by Hamas since the start of the war on October 7.

The freed captives were identified as Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70).

"Two Israeli hostages rescued during an overnight mission in Rafah," IDF posted on X.

"During a joint operation between the IDF, ISA, and Israel Police, two Israeli hostages from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak were rescued: Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70). They are both in good medical condition and were transferred for further medical examination in Israel," the defence force said.

The pair had been abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on the morning of October 7, The Times of Israel reported.

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza-Israel war erupted on 7 October, after widely condemned Hamas-led terror attacks left 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals butchered and more than 250 taken hostage.