Israeli forces on Tuesday rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a 52-year-old Israeli man, from a tunnel in Gaza. This marked the first time since the war began on October 7 that a living hostage was freed from Hamas' extensive tunnel network. Alkadi, a member of Israel's Bedouin Arab minority, had been held captive for 326 days.
The operation took place in a southern Gaza tunnel believed to house hostages, militants and explosives. The Israeli military located Alkadi alone and underground. He was then transported by helicopter to a hospital in Israel, where he received medical attention. Although appearing gaunt, his condition was described as stable.
Alkadi's abduction occurred while he was working as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of the farming communities attacked on October 7. He was among eight members of the Arab Bedouin minority taken captive that day. The rescue operation, praised by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as a "daring and courageous" effort, was part of Israel's broader military strategy within the Gaza Strip to recover hostages and exert pressure on Hamas.
Alkadi's large family had gathered at the hospital in Beersheba to reunite with him, the Associated Press reported. His family expressed their overwhelming happiness, with one brother holding Alkadi's infant son—born during his captivity—who had yet to meet his father.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Alkadi soon after his arrival at the hospital, assuring him and the public that Israel remains committed to bringing all hostages back, either through rescue missions or negotiations.
The war, sparked by the October 7 Hamas-led attack, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Over 1,200 people, primarily civilians, were killed in Israel during the initial assault, and approximately 250 individuals were abducted. In response, Israel's military operations have led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
Efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining 108 hostages believed to be in Gaza, though Israeli intelligence suggests that more than 40 may already be dead.
(With inputs from the Associated Press)