Rescue operation to be named after Arnon Zmora ob"m, who fell during battle

The government approved the General Staff's recommendation today to rename the operation rescuing four of the hostages after Arnon Zmora ob"m, a Police Yamam special forces officer who fell during the operation.

Zmora, an officer in the Israel Police's special forces Yamam unit, also fought during the October 7 attack, organizing forces, taking fire - including multiple RPGs which barely missed him - and eliminating attacking terrorists.

Zmora was reportedly evacuated from the operation in critical condition to the hospital, where he fought for his life and ultimately succumbed.

The Zmora family issued a statement upon hearing the news:

"We are greatly pained by the fall of our good beloved Arnon, an embracing family man, dedicated and gentle father, a beloved and loving partner and exceptional friend. Arnon was an esteemed fighter, so attentive to his friends in the unit and also their relatives. A man with values and a huge heart who believed with all his heart in the mission of protecting the Jewish People, a mission he carried out with enormous dedication and professionalism."