The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet successfully rescued Israeli-Bedouin hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi from Hamas captivity in a complex operation in Rafah, southern Gaza. Alkadi, a 52-year-old father of 11 from Rahat, had been held hostage since October 7. The rescue operation involved elite units, including Division 162, Brigade 401, the Nahal Brigade, Yahalom anti-tunnel units, and Shayetet 13 naval commandos. The forces located Alkadi in a tunnel complex approximately 20 meters underground, where he was found unguarded.
The elite Shayetet 13 unit, supported by the IDF Southern Command and the Shin Bet security agency, found al-Qadi alive inside the tunnel. He is reported to be in good health, but appears to be very thin.
Following the rescue, Alkadi was transported by IDF helicopter to Soroka Medical Center for medical evaluation and intelligence debriefing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials praised the operation, highlighting the IDF’s commitment to rescuing all hostages. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi commended the courage and determination displayed by the troops, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s strategy of using both negotiations and military actions to secure the release of all captives. The rescue has sparked controversy due to a premature revelation by Transportation Minister Miri Regev about the location of the operation, leading to media backlash and the deletion of her post.
Of the 251 individuals taken by Hamas on October 7, 104 are still believed to be in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed that 34 hostages have died, and 30 bodies have been recovered, including three mistakenly killed during escape attempts.
Hamas also holds two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014.
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