Israel-Hamas war: Israeli solider held hostage in Gaza rescued in overnight operation, says IDF

The solider, who has been identified as Corporal Ori Megidish, was checked over by medics and is reported to be in good condition.

After being brought to safety, Cpl Megidish was able to meet with members of her family.

This is the first rescue of any one of the almost 240 people taken hostage by Hamas almost three weeks ago.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the IDF soldiers who carried out the rescue operation.

The success of that operation will give renewed vigour to the Israeli military pushing ahead with the ground war in Gaza.

There has been fierce fighting across parts of northern Gaza on Monday as IDF forces consolidate their positions and slowly push forward.

A recent poll of Israelis suggested close to half of those surveyed favoured a pause in the ground invasion to allow more time for hostage negotiations to continue.

However, GB News understands that the Israeli War Cabinet decided to give the go ahead for the ground invasion after feedback from diplomats, who assessed that negotiations, being led by Qatari officials, had stalled and that Hamas was just "playing for time".

Over the weekend, Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his War Cabinet met dozens of family members of those being held hostage.

Netanyahu said he "felt their anguish and the uncertainty they feel."

But the Prime Minister told a news conference that he believed the ground operation "created a chance" that more Israeli hostages could be freed.