One year later, Arnon Zamora’s name remains etched in the hearts of the people he saved—and in the collective memory of a grateful nation.
One year has passed since the daring mission that brought four Israeli hostages home from Gaza—but cost Israel one of its finest.
During Operation Arnon, Chief Superintendent Arnon Zamora, a commander in the elite Yamam counterterrorism unit, was killed rescuing Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan from captivity.
Zamora, 3 a husband and father of two, was critically wounded while leading the team that stormed a Hamas compound.
He later died from his wounds, and the mission was renamed in his honor. His courage and leadership have since become symbols of Israeli valor.
One of the hostages he saved—Noa Argamani—broke her silence to honor him in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to know or see you,” Argamani wrote, “but I obviously could not have been writing these lines if you had not put your life on the line in the heroic operation to free Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, Almog Meir Jan and me.”
Argamani said she asked about Zamora and was told he was “a moral person, charming, loved, pure, a family man, an amazing partner and perfect dad.”
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for not thinking twice and setting out on the rescue,” she continued. “I promise you I will always remember you.”
The mission was the result of months of covert planning involving the IDF, Shin Bet, Kfir and Paratroopers Brigades, and Duvdevan forces.
Originally intended to free only Argamani, real-time intelligence expanded the scope when three other hostages were discovered nearby.
On the morning of June 8, 2024, the Israeli War Cabinet gave the green light. In broad daylight—an unusual choice meant to preserve the element of surprise—Zamora’s unit struck deep in Nuseirat.
Heavy gunfire erupted. After extracting the hostages, the escape vehicle got stuck, triggering a fierce response from Hamas.
Air Force jets and ground forces from Division 98 rained down fire to clear the path for evacuation.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described Zamora as “a hero who lived and fell with courage.”
His sacrifice not only saved four lives but inspired a nation. Ceremonies marking the anniversary were held across Israel, reflecting on the extraordinary price of freedom.
One year later, Arnon Zamora’s name remains etched in the hearts of the people he saved—and in the collective memory of a grateful nation.
