Israel-Gaza latest: Hamas responds to hostage rescue after Israeli forces came 'under fire' during 'heroic operation'

At least 93 Palestinians have been killed in multiple strikes on central Gaza on Saturday, the Hamas-run Gaza government says.

The director of the government's media office told Reuters 93 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on al Nuseirat and nearby areas. 

The Hamas-run health ministry earlier said at least 55 people - including children - had been killed, and dozens more injured. 

Israeli forces rescued four hostages alive in a special operation from two separate locations in the area on Saturday. 

The release of the hostages by the IDF has caused national celebration across Israel. 

People started gathering outside the medical centre where the hostages are being treated waving flags and dancing. 

October 7th was a day of trauma and with each passing month, the chances of getting the remaining hostages out alive appeared more remote. 

This then, for Israelis, is rare good news - at a time when the war in Gaza appears to be getting bogged down. 

The unity government also appears to be on the verge of collapse but a press conference by war cabinet member and opposition leader Benny Gantz has been cancelled. It was assumed he would use it to announce his resignation. 

The pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains but the successful military operation has given him some breathing room. He has spoken to the hostages to welcome them home. 

He will use this to press the point and illustrate that his strategy is working. 

But that of course is not the full story. 120 hostages still remain in the enclave - and some of them are no longer alive. 

International anger at what's unfolding also remains and staunch ally the United States has made it clear that there needs to be a ceasefire now. 

While four Israelis have been rescued, the civilian casualties inside Gaza continue to mount. 

Distressing images - emerging from the area where they were freed - appear to show many injured and dead Palestinians. At least 55 are dead, according to local authorities in Gaza.

Aid agencies say the humanitarian situation is untenable and global outrage at Israel's conduct is growing.

 We're starting to get some photos of hostages arriving back in Israel and being reunited with family. 

The hostages are in a good medical condition , Israeli authorities said, and are receiving medical checks at Sheba hospital, where they will spend the night.

The hostages were named as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40.

Four Israeli hostages have been rescued from two locations after nine months in Hamas captivity.

Here's a bit about who they are:

Noa Argamani

Noa Argamani was kidnapped from the Nova festival along with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. Avinatan remains in Hamas captivity.

The 25-year-old has been one of the most widely recognised hostages as the video of her abduction was among the first to surface.

A yoga and art enthusiast, she was studying Information Systems Management at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Almog Meir Jan

Almog Meir Jan, 21, was kidnapped from Nova the day before he was supposed to start a job at a large high-tech company.

He had been described as a "beloved son" who connects with everyone through his wide, warm smile.

Shlomi Ziv

Shlomi Ziv was working as a security guard at Nova when he was kidnapped. 

The 40-year-old was described as a family-oriented man,  embodying the perfect description of a "big brother".

Andrey Kozlov

Andrey Kozlov, 27, was also working as a security guard. He had moved to Israel about 18 months before the festival. 

Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in a special operation held under fire to rescue four hostages alive from Hamas in Gaza, Israel's chief military spokesman said on Saturday. 

The operation was weeks in the planning and one police officer was badly hurt, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised news conference. 

The hostages were held in two houses in a residential neighbourhood of al-Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, according to Hagari. 

At least 55 people, including children, were killed in multiple attacks as heavy fighting raged in central Gaza on Saturday, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

Four Israeli hostages were rescued from two separate locations in the area - the largest hostage recovery since the war started. 

Dozens were wounded and at least 55 killed in multiple attacks as people fled for safety in the al Nuseirat area, according to the health ministry.

The Hostage Families Forum, a volunteer-run organisation which helps to return hostages, released a statement following today's announcement.

It said: "The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. 

"Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial.

"We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far."

Noa Argamani, 25, has been reunited with her family following the nine-month captivity.

Watch the moment they saw each other for the first time below:

You're joining us following an announcement by the Israeli government revealing they had rescued four hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October.

The recovery of the three men and one woman is the largest since the war with Hamas began.

Here is what you need to know:

• Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40 have been rescued;
• The hostages are in a good medical condition;
• Israel says their forces came "under fire" during a "complex" mission;
• The operation took place in Nuseirat, Gaza, where a refugee camp is located;
  
• A Gaza health official has told Reuters 55 Palestinians were killed;
  
• Hamas said the rescue operation taking place nine months after 7 October is "a sign of failure not an achievement".

Stay with us as we keep you up to date with the latest developments.

You can read more on what has happened below:

Models Bella and Gigi Hadid are collectively donating one million dollars (£785,000) to support relief efforts, according to their agent. 

The money will go to Heal Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), World Central Kitchen (WCK), and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The sisters have frequently been vocal in their support for Gaza, and their father Mohamed Anwar Hadid is himself Palestinian. 

After Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel, Gigi, 29, offered her condolences to those affected.

"My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict - too many of which are children," she wrote on Instagram.

"I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily."

She added: "While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person."

Bella, 27, said in May that she was "devastated at the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy coming from the government systems worldwide".