Emotional Reunion at Sheba: IDF Rescues Two Hostages in Daring Mission

On February 12th, following a daring rescue mission by the IDF, Sheba was the joyous epicenter of news cameras, tears and hugs. Two hostages, Louis Har, 70, and Fernando Simon Marman, 60, were reunited with their families after 126 days in captivity in Gaza.

Currently, the two men are undergoing numerous medical tests so doctors can get the full scope for their condition. Arnon Afek, Director of Sheba, said “They are not young. We are checking them now. The time they will stay depends on their results. There are not only physical issues but also psychological issues. It is not a simple situation.”

Both Louis and Fernando along with Clara Marman, Fernado’s sister and Louis’ partner, her sister Gabriela Leimberg and her daughter Mia Leimberg were kidnapped from their homes in kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7th. The three women were released during a week-long truce in November, which secured the freedom of more than 100 Gaza hostages, in exchange for 240 terrorists that were being held in Israel.

Louis’ son-in-law, Idan Bejerano remarked, “Luckily for us, as a family, they were saved tonight. But I must say that the job is not done. We are happy today, but we didn’t win. It’s just another step towards bringing all the other hostages home.”

The fact that this whole family was torn apart on that fateful day and is now completely reunited is nothing short of a miracle. Our appreciation has to be extended to our brave soldiers, who put their lives on the line in order to save these two men and bring them back to their families.