Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Louis Har (L) and Fernando Marman after their rescue, at Sheba Medical Center, February 12, 2024. (IDF Spokesperson)
Maayan Sigal-Koren says her uncle Fernando Marman and mother’s partner Louis Har are still hospitalized but had their first nearly full night of sleep on Tuesday night, nearly two days after being rescued from Hamas captivity in a daring raid in Rafah.
“You can see they’re starting to have their strength back, they’re smiling and laughing, they’re feeling a lot better,” she says.
Sigal-Koren tells a press conference that the pair understood very quickly that they were being rescued by Israeli forces, who called the men’s names once they entered the second floor of the building where they were being held.
Louis Har (L) and Fernando Marman (2nd R) are reunited with loved ones at Sheba Medical Center, February 12, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)
“Fernando said that the moment that the Israeli soldier held him he felt secure, like nothing can ever happen to him again,” says Sigal-Koren, speaking in English. “It was very calming to know that they felt so safe, that they felt home even before they got back to Israel.”
The two men are expected to be released from the hospital today.
“Their health is rather good, we’re very optimistic about getting back to our life slowly.”
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The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident – ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded – I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.
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