(TheIndependentStar.com) – In an impressive rescue operation, Israeli forces have managed to extract a hostage from the claws of the Hamas terrorist group by saving him from the network’s extensive underground tunnel system in the Gaza Strip.
This marked the first successful rescue of a living captive since the onset of hostilities on October 7.
The 52-year-old Israeli man was immediately transported to a hospital in Israel, where he was warmly received by his extensive Bedouin Arab family.
This event offered a brief respite from the ongoing conflict, highlighting both a moment of joy and the grim reality that many hostages remain detained, AP reports, cited by Newsmax.
In a significant development, Qaid Farhan Alkadi was discovered in a tunnel in the southern part of Gaza, an area suspected of housing other hostages along with terrorists and explosives.
During a heartfelt phone conversation from his hospital bed, Alkadi shared his initial disbelief upon rescue with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, stating: “Suddenly, I heard someone speaking Hebrew outside the door, I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe it.”
Reflecting on past lessons from earlier in the conflict when Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages, mistaking them for militants, the military emphasized their adapted tactics in the successful extraction of Alkadi.
Alkadi, who was employed as a security guard and is a father to 11 children, represents one of the eight members of Israel’s Bedouin Arab minority who were abducted at the beginning of the war.
Currently, Israel estimates that 108 hostages remain in Gaza, with more than 40 believed deceased.
A temporary reprieve occurred during a ceasefire in November when most of the remaining hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Alkadi’s ordeal included multiple relocations over his 326 days of captivity, and he was notably the first of the rescued hostages to be found underground.
Visuals released post-rescue show a visibly weakened but stable Alkadi interacting with soldiers and then being airlifted to medical care.
The emotional reunion at the hospital in Beersheba was marked by family members’ relief and joy, especially poignant as one of Alkadi’s brothers introduced him to his infant son, born during his captivity.
The rescue operation, described by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as part of the military’s “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip,” was further affirmed by President Herzog’s conversation with Alkadi.
“Dear Farhan, how moving it is to hear your voice! Our brother has come home. Our brother has returned!” Herzog declared.
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