30 missing people found safe in Gaza border kibbutz after hiding out for 3 days
16 Israelis, 14 Thai nationals located in Ein Hashlosha by IDF team; ‘We will continue to work with our partners 24 hours a day to find other missing people,’ says police official
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israeli forces located 30 missing people in the southern kibbutz of Ein Hashlosha Monday night, three days into Hamas’s devastating assault on southern Israel, it was announced Tuesday.
Authorities said they received a report at around 9 p.m. Monday night of a group of 16 Israelis and 14 Thais who were missing.
A joint situation room of the military, police, Shin Bet and various ministries looked into the details, and IDF teams were quickly sent to the kibbutz to rescue them, relying on location technology.
The group was found alive and well, authorities said in a joint statement.
During Hamas’s terror rampage through towns in southern Israel, many residents fled and attempted to hide.
Yossi Graiber, a Home Front Command officer, said Tuesday that “amid great darkness, we had a little bit of light last night.” Graiber said that the rescue of the 30 people brought “enormous excitement” to the members of the joint situation room: “This is a moment where you realize the power of our mission.”
Assistant Commissioner Boaz Blat, heading up the Israel Police’s unit to locate missing people, vowed that “just as we succeeded in locating these missing people and others, we will continue to work with our partners 24 hours a day to find other missing people.”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
