Israel pushes deeper into Gaza and frees Hamas captive; Netanyahu rejects calls for cease-fire

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed her home, saying the “achievement” by Israel’s security forces “illustrates our commitment to free all the hostages.”

Palestinians sit on the rubble of a house after it was struck by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Gaza on Monday, advancing in tanks and other armored vehicles on the territory’s main city and freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants. The Israeli prime minister rejected calls for a cease-fire, even as airstrikes landed near hospitals where thousands of Palestinians are sheltering beside the wounded.

The military said a female soldier captured during Hamas’ brutal October 7 incursion was rescued in Gaza — the first since the weekslong war began. It provided few details, but said in a statement that Pvt. Ori Megidish “is doing well” and had met with her family.