ReutersThe Israeli army mentioned commandos rescued a Bedouin Arab hostage kidnapped by Hamas throughout an Oct. 7 Israeli assault from an underground tunnel in Gaza.
Kaid Farhan Elkadi, 52, was rescued throughout a “advanced operation within the southern Gaza Strip” by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) and the Shin Wager inner safety service, a press release mentioned.
The assertion mentioned that no additional particulars might be launched “as a consequence of issues of hostage security, drive security and nationwide safety.”
Mr. Elkadi is the eighth hostage rescued by Israeli forces because the outbreak of the Gaza warfare. He’s presently present process examination in hospital and is in steady situation.
Images launched by the Soroka Medical Heart in Beersheba confirmed him sitting in a hospital armchair speaking to his household.
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that he managed to flee his captors earlier than being rescued and that troopers have been looking for out whether or not he was being held with different hostages.
Mr. Elkadi’s brother Hatam, tell haaretz Stated he was “slightly skinny”.
“We advised him the whole lot was high-quality and everybody was ready exterior for him,” he mentioned.
“We’ve been ready for this second for a very long time. We hope that each one the hostages will get this second and that they’ll all expertise the identical pleasure and pleasure,” he added. “Might all of the hostages be returned and will all of the households really feel this sense.”
Mr Elkadi, a father of 11 and grandfather of 1, hails from a Bedouin village within the Rahat area of the Negev desert.
He labored for a few years as a safety guard at Kibbutz Magen, close to the border with Israel and Gaza, the place he was kidnapped 10 months in the past.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari mentioned in a video announcement that he couldn’t reveal additional particulars concerning the operation that led to his launch.
However he added that he might “share that Israeli commandos rescued [him] From underground tunnels, following correct intelligence.”
Footage released by the Israel Defense Forces showed Mr Elkadi sitting down, smiling and talking to soldiersTogether with the commander of the 162nd Division shortly after being rescued.
A senior Israeli army official confirmed that troops have been working “in a fancy underground system the place hostages are suspected to be held”.
The official added that Mr Elkady was alone within the tunnel when he was found and rescued by Israeli forces.
ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned he had congratulated Mr Elkady in a cellphone name and advised him that each one Israelis have been moved by the information.
“We’re working tirelessly to repatriate all hostages,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying within the assertion.
“We do that primarily by means of two means: negotiations and rescue operations. Each require our army presence on the bottom, in addition to sustained army strain.”
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board described the rescue as a “miracle”.
Nevertheless it emphasised that “army motion alone can not rescue the remaining hostages who’ve suffered 326 days of abuse and terror” and “negotiation and settlement are the one approach out.”
“We urgently name on the worldwide group to take care of strain on Hamas to simply accept the proposed deal and launch all hostages.”
On October 7, an unprecedented assault occurred in southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 individuals and taking 251 individuals hostage. The Israeli army launched an operation to destroy Hamas.
Since then, greater than 40,430 individuals have been killed in Gaza, in response to the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry.
U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators try to agree on a ceasefire that may see Hamas launch the 104 hostages nonetheless being held, together with 34 presumed useless, in change for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Oblique talks have continued in Cairo in current days, however up to now there aren’t any indicators of a breakthrough on key points. These included Netanyahu’s request for Israel to station troops on the Gaza-Egyptian border, a request Hamas rejected.
Two different Bedouin Arabs – Yousef Zyadna and his son Hamza – is likely one of the remaining hostages who’re nonetheless alive, whereas the physique of the third hostage, Mohammed Atrash, continues to be being held by Hamas.
One other Bedouin, Hisham Saidhas been held in Gaza since 2015.
