In a daring rescue operation, Israeli forces successfully retrieved four hostages held by Hamas in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza. The mission, which caught militants off guard, involved meticulous planning and the use of non-military vehicles, including a white Mercedes van, according to eyewitnesses and video analysis by CNN.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Israeli forces disguised as Hamas fighters or civilians, dressed in military uniforms with signs of the Hamas resistance. "In reality, they were an Israeli special forces unit," said Khalil Al Tirawi, a local resident who witnessed the operation. The Israeli military neither confirmed nor denied the use of disguises, but acknowledged previous use of civilian clothing in their operations.

The rescue operation commenced at 11 a.m. local time, as two teams from an Israeli police counter-terrorism special forces unit simultaneously raided two buildings where the militants were holding the hostages. One building was infiltrated undetected, surprising the guards. However, gunfire erupted soon after the operation started, leading to heavy bombardment in the densely packed civilian area, causing destruction and casualties.

A video released by Israeli police and the Israeli Security Agency showcased the rescue of the three male hostages amidst gunfire. The hostages, referred to as "diamonds," were successfully evacuated to the Mediterranean coast in helicopters. Unfortunately, the operation left a deadly trail, with conflicting reports of casualties. Gazan authorities reported 274 Palestinian deaths and 698 injuries, while the IDF estimated the number of casualties from the operation as "under 100."

Eyewitnesses confirmed the use of civilian vehicles, including a white Mercedes van, and the presence of ladders leaning against a building during the operation. The intense aerial bombardment resulted in the destruction of apartments and vehicles throughout the Nuseirat camp.

The IDF stated that they came under heavy fire, including rocket-propelled grenades, from the militants during the operation. In response, the IDF initiated strikes to support the ground team. Footage from a local journalist documented the impact of US-made air-to-ground hellfire missiles that destroyed buildings and the white Mercedes van.

The rescue operation unfolded alongside terrifying scenes of heavy gunfire, artillery missiles, and rockets, leading to a chaotic situation for the civilians in the area. Witnesses described the onslaught as "the apocalypse," with the camp of Nuseirat being devastated by the bombardment.

Further details emerged of a truck resembling an aid vehicle traveling with Israeli armored vehicles. However, the Israeli military denied using the aid truck or the US-built pier in the operation. Israeli forces evacuated the hostages on helicopters, one for each group, with one helicopter also transporting the fatally wounded squadron commander, Arnon Zamora.

As investigations continue, the impact of this dramatic rescue operation will undoubtedly be felt deeply by the residents of Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.