Israel rescues four hostages alive from Gaza who were captured by Hamas at Nova music festival on October 7 - including girl seen kidnapped on back of motorbike

[keenforhelp]

Well done Israel - fantastic, wonderful news
xxx

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13508615/Israel-rescues-four-hostages-alive-Gaza-Noa-Argamani-motorbike.html

I apologise @Scirocco if I jumped on you without realising the nuances and pain from which you were posting. I hope you and your loved ones are okay.

I came on to the thread to post a message saying it was good that innocent people had returned home. I attempted to defend someone being attacked for having said it was good that the hostages didn't look like they had been severely harmed (because surely it is good, and there was nothing in their post to suggest any minimising or denial of what a horrible experience it would have been).

I have then been attacked myself. I had left my own experience of the past few days out of my posting until that point, when a username suggested I "stretch [my] version of humanity", and other usernames made snide remarks.

It is good that innocent people have returned home. There was no need for usernames to attack me as part of celebrating that.

Thank you.

No, they aren't. And neither am I. But this isn't the thread for that. I'm sorry if my messages of gladness for the safe return of hostages in the other thread weren't sufficiently effusive, but it's hard when people attack you while you're grieving.

@Scirocco as you have said though you have already posted on the other thread which would lead me to wonder why you would seek out a celebratory thread whilst in obvious distress?
We cannot police threads or how people feel to fit our own narrative and beliefs and I have learnt that the hard way.
Your comments are always appreciated but perhaps now it's best left alone.

I absolutely believe you. Unfortunately the internet is like that and it can be unbearable when it is something so personal to yourself.

I've also had to take a break from MN in the past (entirely different situation but provoking a similarly emotional response). Posting emotionally in highly charged debates doesn't bring peace, I found it made me feel worse.

I am so, so sorry for your loss and for what you and your friends are going through.

Thank you for your very gracious reply.

And I am sorry.

We are trying very hard to allow this discussion to continue, but for that to happen, we must see an end to deliberately inflammatory posts. If you are posting intending to derail the thread or rile up and upset other posters, then please take a minute to reconsider.

We'd also like to remind everyone that Antisemitism and Islamophobia are hate speech and break our guidelines. We will remove such posts when reported to us and you may find your account suspended.

Thanks,
MNHQ

I'd initially intended to post on this thread. Then saw a username and decided not to, so went to the other one.

I posted a message to say it was good that the hostages were free because it is. And it's the right thing to do. I'm not upset that innocent people are free. Far from it. Every innocent person should be free.

Perhaps now that certain usernames have got the reaction they presumably wanted, people can stop attacking me and actually discuss that it's good news for four innocent people, their families, and the many others waiting for news of their own loved ones.

Personally, I thought it was good news that the available images appeared to show the rescued hostages in relatively good physical health - it gives hope for the others.

I was so pleased to hear this. I didn’t realise one of them was the woman on the motorbike, those images have haunted me. I am so pleased she is alive.

Hamas need to release all the remaining hostages.

It is wonderful that 4 people are now back with their loved ones. I got something in my eye when I heard the news about Noa.

I hope that the others come home soon.

I really wish they would. Why are they hanging on to them?
Sorry if that's a naïve question.

It's what we were discussing.

Onwards and upwards.

Yes as that was not on really to do that here and was rightfully deleted.

However @Scirocco I am really sorry for your losses too.

Very glad to hear more have been brought home and this is indeed cause for celebration, also glad they seem, on the surface at least, to be OK.

I will be interested to hear, if/when they feel able, their account of what these few months have been like.

I think everyone hopes and prays for their safe return. Outside of a negotiated deal, though, it's unlikely that their captors would free them voluntarily. Violent and power-hungry men, fuelled by hate, don't see innocent people as people though; they see negotiating tools and human shields. Which is entirely reprehensible. There are a few threads on the board discussing this in more detail.

Hamas have a history of taking hostages to use for coercion, blackmail, ransom, etc. And States simply cannot keep giving in to that kind of underhand tactic as it'll prove it works so incentivises terrorist groups everywhere to copy it.

Good news to hear the Israel Defence Force has liberated these four hostages!

Most people have no real idea how hard that is to do or what level of planning and execution goes into military operations of this nature.

Especially against a destructive death cult such as Hamas who also use civilians as human shields aka human sacrifices.

Thanks you. I read about them taking some Israeli soldiers who were Bedouin. I didn't realise it was a widespread tactic.
They are of course a violent group and I actually feel sorry for Palestinians under their rule.

This is absolutely wonderful news. An enormous relief for the families and I hope it offers some hope for the other hostages.

I am so sorry for the terrible ongoing pain and anguish but it is right to focus on good news in this thread .

@Scirocco I'm really sorry for your loss. I read an article well over a decade ago now by the Jewish actor Paul Kaye. His mother (or possibly MIL) was killed in Israel by a Hamas rocket fired from Gaza, and he wrote about the devastating effect it had on his family here in London. In response to her murder, he mentioned that Gazans were celebrating and handing out sweets on the streets (just like on 7/10). Yet despite this, the enormous empathy and concern he had for Palestinians in Gaza was palpable and he really spoke to the fear on both sides. It was such a human and considered piece of writing. I'm mentioning it to you because it really stayed with me and is relevant because I think a lot of posters have the same compassion, which extends beyond concern for Israelis to Palestinians too, more than you realise. But for various and valid reasons don't want to 'both side' the situation on here (I have my own reasons). Take some time away from the toxicity of CITME to try and be good to yourself.

@79Helene thank you. I have no intention of going away and leaving others to enjoy successful efforts to bully posters off the board. In terms of losses, today, yesterday and the last week are not acute situations for me. This is my every day, every week. What has changed slightly is that certain other posters have demonstrated that they do not have the empathy to which you refer. But this is not the thread for that.

Great news about the hostages! Can't imagine how everyone must be feeling to be reunited again after so long.

I think you can judge the physical condition of someone, in this case the hostages, just by looking at them. Does that mean Hamas treated them well psychologically and mentally? No, of course not. The news printed photos. Pictures are worth a thousands words.
Not only they were in grave danger at the hands of the terrorists but they were in danger of being killed by the constant bombing and other actions the IDF/Israeli government have implemented in Gaza.
I am pleased they have been realised for their sake and that of their loved ones.

Actually you're quite wrong, Julili. There are very many people who have been demanding that Israel stop rescuing hostages because it was upsetting Hamas.

The last thing they wanted was for some to go home. They said as much.

Thanks you for the good news OP. I hadn't seen this yet.

Treated them well?
They're hostages. We know who Hamas are.
That's enough.