The hostage rescue, dubbed by Netanyahu as ‘one of the most successful operations in Israeli history,’ went flawlessly as the Yamam special forces retrieved both hostages safe and sound.

The hostages were protected by the soldiers’ bodies, underscoring the importance each soldier showed for the gravity of the mission. The hostages were then bundled onto a military helicopter, where they were whisked to safety.

The rescued hostages reunited with their families, who consequently were taken hostage as well but released prior during the temporary November ceasefire.