In a rare moment of jubilation, Israel celebrated on Saturday as four hostages were successfully rescued from Gaza in a daring special forces operation. The news brought relief to a nation that had endured eight months of heartache following the abduction of its citizens. Street parties erupted across the country, and demonstrators in Tel Aviv renewed their calls for the government to negotiate a deal with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 120 captives.

The Israeli media highlighted the emotional reunion between Noa Argamani, a festivalgoer at Nova, and her terminally ill mother, while also sadly reporting that Almog Meir Jan, one of the freed hostages, had lost his father just hours before his homecoming. Meir Jan expressed his gratitude, assuring the public that he was fine and with his supportive family.

Family members of the hostages revealed that their loved ones had been aware of the grassroots protest movement demanding their release while in captivity. The meticulous planning and intelligence gathering for the mission, combined with the bravery of the ground troops, have earned the operation accolades, with many dubbing it as one of the most audacious rescues in Israeli history. Comparisons have even been drawn to the legendary Entebbe airport raid in 1976.

Amid the celebrations and catharsis, it is important to note the tragic consequences in Gaza, where a total of 274 people were killed and 696 injured, according to medics. Majority of the casualties resulted from airstrikes carried out to extricate the commandos, who had come under fire from militants. The fact that one of their vehicles had broken down further complicated the situation. Images and videos from Nuseirat and a local hospital showed heartbreaking scenes of women and children among the dead and injured.

Critics argue that the Israeli media and public have largely overlooked the Palestinian casualties, focusing instead on the successful hostage rescue. Even Haaretz, a renowned left-wing newspaper, mentioned the Palestinian deaths only in the context of how they could affect Israel's international image. Ben Saul, the UN's special rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, has raised concerns that the operation may constitute a war crime if excessive civilian casualties were anticipated.

Mairav Zonszein, a senior Israel analyst at the International Crisis Group thinktank, acknowledges that the Israeli public has shown limited concern for the Palestinian casualties throughout this crisis. She expects this indifference to persist, as the Israeli narrative diverges from the international one. However, there have been calls for greater empathy and recognition of the suffering in Gaza.

Saturday's successful rescue operation is not the first of its kind. In October, eighteen-year-old soldier Ori Magidish was brought home in an operation that resulted in the deaths of two Hamas militants. Additionally, a raid in Rafah in February led to the freedom of two elderly men from the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz but reportedly left at least 67 Palestinians dead.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has championed military pressure as the preferred approach to secure the release of the remaining hostages, public support for negotiations remains strong. Various polls indicate that a majority of Israelis prioritize a deal over military action. However, Hamas has claimed, without evidence, that three other hostages, including a US citizen, were killed during the rescue operation.

Controversy also surrounds Netanyahu's response to the operation. Critics accuse him of exploiting the successful mission for political gain, as he broke Shabbat conventions to meet the released hostages and pose for photographs. The prime minister has yet to personally contact or meet with the families of other hostages who remain missing or have been killed, drawing criticism from grieving parents.

As Israel savors the joy of the hostages' return, voices within the country are emphasizing the need for a negotiated deal to bring all captives home. The rescue mission, while a cause for celebration, has also rekindled debates about the toll it took on Gaza and the urgency to find a resolution that brings an end to the suffering on both sides.