For several weeks, the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet, and the IDF repeatedly trained on carrying out a mission during daylight hours in a rare manner. The forces understood that this type of operation in daylight would pose greater risks and involve more people in the nearby streets. Despite the challenges, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari of the IDF stated that carrying out the operation in daylight would be the ultimate surprise.
Some of the fighters who trained for the operation were not aware of its exact purpose, as keeping it a secret was a major challenge. Lt. Col. Ziv from the Givati Brigade mentioned this in statements released by the IDF spokesperson. Last Thursday, the decision was made to proceed with the operation, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the plan after meeting with senior officials in the defense establishment. However, technical difficulties arose during the operation, leading to the transfer of hostages to new vehicles.
After the successful rescue operation, Israeli and US officials expressed concerns about future opportunities to rescue hostages in Gaza. It is expected that Hamas will change its tactics, making it harder for Israeli forces to reach abductees. The recent operation is seen as an exception, and it is believed that diplomatic efforts will be necessary to rescue remaining hostages in Gaza.
Intelligence gathering from the US and the UK played a crucial role in preparing for the operation, with drones collecting information over Gaza. By understanding patterns of behavior and locations of potential abductees, the chances of successful rescue missions increase. Despite challenges due to destruction in the region, advancements in intelligence collection have improved Israel’s ability to locate hostages.
The cooperation with international partners has been vital in obtaining intelligence that Israel cannot access on its own. The use of advanced sensors on drones provided by the US and the UK has allowed for extensive data collection over time. This collaboration has been instrumental in planning and executing successful rescue missions in Gaza.