Israeli hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi rescued from Hamas captivity in Gaza Strip

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi was rescued from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip by soldiers of the IDF and Shin Bet, the military announced on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old father of 11 children, from the Bedouin town of Rahat in southern Israel, was rescued “in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip.”

The First Photo of the Rescued Hostage, Qaid Farhan al-Qadi at the Hospital in Beersheba with his Family. pic.twitter.com/M3IJLh4uxa

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 27, 2024

“He is in a stable medical condition and is being transferred for medical checks at a hospital,” Israel Defense Forces stated. “His family has been updated with the details, and the IDF is accompanying them.”

His brother told Israeli media outlets: "We are very happy to receive this news. It is better than having a new child. We thank everyone very much and hope to see him in good health."

Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva, where al-Qadi is being treated, said his overall condition was good and that he was fully conscious.

On Oct. 7, al-Qadi was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists near Moshav Mivtahim in southern Israel. He worked at a packing factory on Kibbutz Magen.

Today, the IDF and ISA rescued the hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi, aged 52, from Rahat, who was abducted by the Hamas terrorist organization into Gaza on October 7.

He is in a stable medical condition and is being transferred for medical checks at a hospital. His family has been… pic.twitter.com/lGBKa3aaaO

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 27, 2024

Soldiers of the Navy commando Shayetet 13, the 401st Armored Brigade, the engineering commando Yahalom, and forces of Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) under the command of the 162nd Division, took part in the rescue mission.

The army added: “No further details can be published due to considerations of the safety of our hostages, the security of our forces, and national security.”

According to IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari, al-Qadi was rescued from an underground tunnel, marking the first such instance in the seven successful rescue operations conducted so far.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi approved the operation while visiting the Jordan Valley.

"We are doing everything to save all the abductees," he stated. "IDF and Shin Bet forces demonstrate courage, determination and initiative in complex operations in the field."

הרמטכ״ל, רא״ל הרצי הלוי, סיים הערכת מצב עם מפקד פיקוד הדרום, ר׳ אמ״ץ, ר׳ אמ״ן, אלוף ניצן אלון, מתפ״ש ונציגי השב״כ לאחר חילוצו של החטוף פראחן קאדי, ואישר את המשך פעילות הכוחות בשטח, בדרכו לביקור בבקעה.

הרמטכ״ל סיכם: ״אנחנו עושים הכל כדי להציל את כל החטופים. כוחות צה״ל ושב״כ… pic.twitter.com/7TOfSZSSdb

— דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי - Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) August 27, 2024

"This operation joins a series of impressive operational activities, which bring us closer to achieving all the goals of the war," said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

"I repeat and emphasize: We are committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages to their homes."

“Israeli security forces will continue to operate with all means to bring home the hostages,” the IDF affirmed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said he spoke on the phone with al-Qadi, "congratulated Farhan and told him that the entire Israeli people are excited by his release."

President Isaac Herzog expressed his excitement for the good news of al-Qadi's rescue.

"I am overjoyed by the successful rescue of the hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi. Qaid, a Muslim resident of the Bedouin Israeli community in the Negev, who was kidnapped on October 7th from where he worked in Kibbutz Magen when Hamas terrorists came to indiscriminately abduct, murder, and rape — without distinction between race or religion," Herzog said.
 
"I congratulate the IDF, the Shin Bet, and all the security services, and send my blessings to his family on his return - which is a moment of joy for the State of Israel and Israeli society as a whole," the president continued.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also praised al-Qadi's rescue but at the same time repeated its calls for a hostage release deal.

“He endured 326 days in captivity. Qaid’s return home is nothing short of miraculous. However, we must remember: military operations alone cannot free the remaining 108 hostages,” the group added. “A negotiated deal is the only way forward.”

Israeli security forces have rescued eight living hostages from Gaza so far.

As of today, 108 Israeli hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, with 36 of them declared dead by Israeli authorities.