NEWS GLEAMS | Israel Rescues Four Hostages, Over 270 Palestinians Killed

A roundup of news and announcements we don't want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle.

by Vee Hua 華婷婷

Israel Rescues Four Hostages, Over 270 Palestinians Killed in the Process

An Israeli special forces operation on Saturday, June 8, led to the rescue of four Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. Over 270 Palestinians were reportedly killed in the operation, making June 8 the deadliest day in six months, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

A combination of air strikes and on-ground gun battles in and near Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in the high number of civilian deaths, as well as injuries that required treatment at Al-Aqsa Hospital, one of the area's last remaining operational medical facilities. The Gaza Strip's largest hospitals, such as Al-Shifa, now lie in ruins.

Israel has estimated a lower death toll, with Israel's military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari saying that it was a "high-risk, complex mission" based on "precise intelligence" with a death toll of no more than 100. Hamas, who runs the Gaza Health Ministry, has since released the names of at least 86 of the 274 Palestinians who were killed.

The rescued Israeli hostages were Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41; all were taken to hospitals and found to be in good health. In an interview with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Louis Har, a 70-year-old former Israeli soldier who was rescued during a previous military operation in February, said that his "biggest fear was the IDF planes and the fear that they would be bombing the building we were in," not the Palestinian fighters.

Numerous eyewitness accounts from Palestinians, reported in NPR, The Washington Post, and Haaretz, have described Israeli soldiers using vehicles disguised as aid trucks to enter the area. As The Washington Post wrote, "Palestinian witnesses described some troops arriving in two undercover vehicles, one of which resembled the trucks used by Israel to bring commercial goods into Gaza. The other was a white Mercedes truck, piled high with furniture and other belongings, a common sight in a camp that's home to thousands of displaced families." Israel has denied the claim.

U.S. participation in the operation was, according to officials, mostly related to intelligence. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan denied direct U.S. involvement with "boots on the ground," saying, "The United States has been providing support to Israel for several months in helping to identify the locations of hostages in Gaza, and to support efforts to try to secure their efforts or recovery … we did not participate militarily in this operation."

Global Reactions to the Hostage Rescue and Potential for Ceasefire Deal; Gantz Exits Netanyahu War Cabinet

Following the attack on Nuseirat refugee camp, Israel has continued to conduct air strikes and ground incursions into Gaza. Worldwide condemnation of the civilian deaths and widespread hunger has also been mounting. European Union High Representative Josep Borrell said the UN condemns "another massacre of civilians … in the strongest terms." United Nations special rapporteur for Palestinian-controlled territories, Francesca Albanese, said that she was "relieved" by the hostage rescue but that it "should not have come at the expense of at least 200 Palestinians, including children, killed and over 400 injured by Israel and allegedly foreign soldiers, while perfidiously hiding in an aid truck."

Israeli leaders were quick to celebrate the operation, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that it does not indicate an end to the war. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, formed by families of those Hamas took captive on Oct. 7, has continued to assert that a ceasefire is the best way to achieve the return of all hostages. Netanyahu responded to their calls, saying that their government still seeks "total victory," and that they will not abandon fighting for a hostage deal "without achieving our goals — [which are] destroying Hamas as much as possible."

Today, June 10, the United Nations Security Council passed a ceasefire resolution urging a "full and complete ceasefire," as well as a return of all Israeli hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The United States did not veto this resolution, despite their record of vetoing similar attempts in the past.

The event follows President Joe Biden's push for a three-part ceasefire deal last week, which his administration repeatedly claimed was Israeli-led — though Israeli leadership openly said they did not agree to the terms of the ceasefire deal. While urging Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal, Biden also urged Israeli leaders to accept it, saying that Hamas was sufficiently depleted due to the ongoing war and would no longer be able to launch an attack like they had on Oct. 7.

The hypothetical deal Biden outlined would have led to an immediate temporary ceasefire, followed by a second stage that would have negotiated a permanent ceasefire and a third that would have included a reconstruction of Gaza. Afterward, Netanyahu called Biden's description of the deal "incorrect."

After delaying his announcement due to the hostage rescue, Benny Gantz — leader of National Unity, Israel's second-largest political party — resigned from his role in the Israeli War Cabinet. He stated, "Netanyahu prevents us from progressing to real victory," and described that "fateful strategic decisions are met with hesitation and procrastination due to [narrow] political considerations." He called his departure a "complex and agonizing decision … for the good of the State of Israel" and also called for immediate elections.

The Gaza Health Ministry stated on Saturday that the death toll in Gaza numbers over 37,084 people. Sources estimate that between 100 and 120 Israeli hostages are still in captivity.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Welcomes Input on Be'er Sheva Park

Renovations will soon take place at Be'er Sheva Park, located in southeast Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington. As they move into Phase II of their renovation, the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation welcomes community input on future improvements to Be'er Sheva's play area and basketball court, as well as the creation of a new fitness zone and accessible area leading up to it. Parks and Rec are seeking feedback about what works about the existing spaces, what's missing, and what new features can best be incorporated.

The public can participate in one of the following ways:

• Attend in-person events:
  • Friday, June 21, from 12 to 4 p.m. — Tabling at the Rainier Beach Community Center during the Campus Plaza for the BE SAFE Block Party.
  • Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. — At Be'er Sheva Park.
• Participate in a short survey.

The park's Site Workshop design team will then incorporate community feedback and top priorities into some potential plans for renovation. As budget priorities allow, the designs may include enhancements to safety and accessibility, as well as additional amendments and furnishings such as barbeques, bike racks, picnic tables, and more.

For more information on the event and project, please visit Seattle Parks and Recreation's website, or contact Shaquan Smith at Shaquan.Smith@Seattle.gov. 

Summer Recreation Programs Are Now Available at Seattle Parks

Recreation programs for youth and adults are available at parks throughout Seattle all summer. Limited financial aid scholarships are available and can be found on Seattle Parks and Recreation's website (in eight languages); eligibility is based on household income. The application takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and up to two weeks to process before enrollment is complete.

Sample programs include the following:

• School-age care.
• Tot drop-ins.
• Late-night recreation for teens.
• Summer safety programs for teens.
• Camp Long for youth and teens, including rock-climbing and other nature programs.
• Dance classes, including soul line dance, ballet, and hip-hop.
• Exercise classes, including aerobics, yoga, tai chi, and Zumba.
• Martial arts classes, including kung fu, karate, and taekwondo.
• Arts and crafts classes, including drawing, pottery, and AI robotics.
• Music classes, such as piano, ukulele, and drums.
• Board game and chess nights.
• Drop-in sports, including basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, and a number of racquet sports.
• Special one-time events of all kinds.
• 2024 Big Day of Play on Aug. 17 at Rainier Playfields.

Check out the full program guide and direct any questions to ParksBSC@Seattle.gov.

To register, fill out the online registration form, call select community centers during their hours of operation, or contact the park's Business Service Center (BSC) at 206-684-5177, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

📸 Featured Image: UNRWA workers inspect the destruction after an attack carried out by the Israeli military in the Nuseirat refugee camp on May 26, 2024. Photo via Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock.com

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