The war between Israel and Hamas has been rife with tragedies and atrocities, but in the midst of the pain and suffering, there are reasons for hope.

Israel’s K-9 unit has shown itself to be a remarkable boon to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and has already saved a substantial number of lives. Through these dogs, Israel has been able to free those taken hostage or lost in the battle while also eliminating Hamas terrorists.

An Israeli K-9 unit is being credited with rescuing over 200 civilians while under fire in communities near the Gaza Strip.

In battles in multiple communities close to Gaza, Israeli soldiers paired with K-9s went on several rescue missions that "rescued hostages, saved lives, and eliminated terrorists who had barricaded themselves in houses," according to the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman's Unit.

Commanders and soldiers from Israel's Oketz K-9 Unit were split up into three different companies in order to take a more active role in combat near the Gaza Strip, the Spokesman's Unit said, resulting in the rescue of several hostages and the deaths of more than 10 Hamas terrorists.

One of the canines, named “Naro,” died at Kibbutz Kfar Aza while exposing a planned ambush by Hamas gunmen. His actions eventually led to the terrorists being killed. Another, named “Charlie,” located the position of a senior Hamas leader, which led to his apprehension.

The unit is soon expected to be deployed in offensive operations in Gaza against the terrorist group. “The next step is to enter the Gaza Strip,” a commander from the Oketz unit explained. “The mission is to neutralize all the terrorists we confront in the field; we are ready, we are strong, we are united, and we are going to win.”

RedState's Ward Clark previously wrote about 25-year-old Inbar Lieberman, who may have single-handedly carried out one of the greatest acts of bravery in this conflict so far: 

Inbal Lieberman, a veteran of the IDF special K-9 unit, neutralized 25 terrorists and saved her kibbutz.
our government does not deserve to have such citizens. pic.twitter.com/hd8NyilJhX

— Yael 🪬 יעל (@ya3ili) October 10, 2023

The results have underscored the valuable service the K-9 unit has provided for Israeli soldiers and hostages who have been captured by Hamas.

So far, Hamas has taken at least 126 hostages, and many more have gone missing during the fighting.

The Israeli military has confirmed 126 people who are being held as hostages by Hamas.

Authorities initially estimated about 150 Israeli and foreign captives after Hamas launched its deadly 7 October attack. However, Israeli officials said the number of known hostages had been revised down after bodies from the Hamas attack sites in southern Israel were found and identified.

A former Israeli special operator speculated that the recent delay in the IDF’s plan to launch a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, the territory Hamas controls, was due to new information about hostages being held in the area.

During an appearance on Fox News on Sunday, Cohen laid out his analysis of the tense situation.

What we need is what Israel does best. They come together, they're creative. They've got the intestinal fortitude. They've got the experience, and right now thousands of phone calls are being listened to. You're about to see Israel [do] what it does best: rescue good people. So stand by.

If the former official’s prediction is any indication, it appears Israel’s Oketz unit might be more busy in the coming days.

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