Israel says it has freed four hostages from Gaza, in the biggest rescue operation since the war with Hamas began on October 7.

They are in good health, Israeli authorities said, and are receiving medical checks at Sheba Hospital, where they will spend the night.

Israeli forces rescued them "under fire" from two houses in Nuseirat in a "complex daylight mission," according to Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

He said the special operation involved hundreds of Israeli troops and had been "planning for weeks". An Israeli special forces officer was killed in the mission, according to Israeli police. /SkyNews