Two Israeli security sources told ABC News that the gunmen were disguised as Palestinian refugees looking for a place to live when they entered the compound where the hostages were being held during Israel’s rescue mission this weekend.
Before the order to “come forward” was given by the Israeli military, special forces were already positioned near the building where the hostages were being held, the source added.
According to sources, the “depart” order was given at 11 a.m. local time on Saturday.
Helicopters carrying the hostages and injured police officers landed at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center from 12:15pm local time, with the last helicopter landing at 12:45pm local time.
The rescue operation, now called “Operation Arnon” by the Israeli military, involved members of the Israeli security forces, the Shin Bet, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli special forces, Yamam, and was named in honor of one security force member who was killed during the operation.
Hostages rescued — Almog Meir, 21 January; Noah Al-Ghamani, 25; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were kidnapped from Israel’s Nova music festival on 7 October.
IDF officials said the men were in “good health” when they were rescued.
Professor Itai Pesach, head of the medical team caring for the hostages at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, told ABC News’ Tom Sufi-Burridge on Monday that the hostages’ physical condition was “less serious” than “had been expected” by the Israeli hospitals and doctors treating them.
“All that time they endured physical abuse,” Pessac told ABC News. “They were subjected to ongoing emotional abuse.”
The IDF said the hostages were rescued from two locations in Nuseirat, central Gaza — three male hostages were rescued from one location and Al-Ghamani was rescued from another — in a camp that is home to thousands of refugees fleeing fighting across Gaza.
An official from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 274 Palestinians were killed and 698 wounded during the IDF operation in Nuseirat.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated.