BBC investigation suggests dozens of civilians killed during Israeli hostage rescue | BBC News

When Israeli special forces rescued two of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on 7th October 2023 there was enormous relief for their families. Fernando Simon Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, were freed in the southern city of Rafah.

But the Israeli special forces raid left anger and bitterness in Gaza, where more than 70 people are reported to have been killed on the night and many more wounded.

The BBC has heard evidence from people caught up in the raid and doctors who treated the victims, who say a large proportion of those killed and injured by Israeli soldiers were civilians.

The independent Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, based in Gaza, using details obtained from hospital lists, says 27 children and 22 women were among those killed.

Among the victims were children and their parents living in tents close to where the raid took place, who had fled to Rafah to escape the fighting in other parts of Gaza.

Israel has said its use of force is proportionate and military operations are carefully planned to minimise civilian casualties.

Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Fergal Keane.

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