Report: U.S. Provided Intelligence for Israeli Hostage Rescue

By Yoni Weiss

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the United States provided some intelligence that aided in Shabbbos’s rescue of four Israeli hostages, citing sources familiar with the details. According to the report, an American team based in Israel furnished the information, though it appeared to be secondary to intelligence gathered by the Israelis ahead of the operation.

A team of American personnel composed of special operations and intelligence personnel reportedly working out of the embassy in Yerushalayim has been in Israel since the war began. Since then, it has shared with Israeli counterparts information about hostages’ potential location gleaned from U.S. drone surveillance over Gaza, communications intercepts, and other sources, the sources told the Washington Post.

“The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens,” U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. He noted that this work includes ongoing negotiations and “other means.”

President Joe Biden welcomed the rescue operation, stating: “We won’t stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached.” The White House added, “Israeli security forces conducted a successful operation to rescue four hostages from the grips of Hamas in Gaza. All four were taken […] on Oct. 7, and Hamas filmed the horrific abduction of Ms. Argamani for the world to see. Now they are safe and reunited with their families. We commend the work of the Israeli security services that conducted this daring operation.”

The White House emphasized ongoing support: “The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens. This includes ongoing negotiations or other means. The hostage release and ceasefire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza.”

The statement further highlighted international backing: “This deal has the full backing of the United States and has been endorsed by countries from around the world, including the G7, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, and Qatar, as well as the 16 countries with their citizens still being held by Hamas. They all must be released — now.”