The Israeli military has freed Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a hostage who had been in captivity in Gaza for 326 days, from a tunnel in southern Gaza in “a complex rescue operation”. The 52-year-old was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
After being freed Alkadi recounted his rescue on a call with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a hospital and said, “Suddenly, I heard someone speaking Hebrew outside the door, I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe it.”
Alkadi’s rescue makes him the eight hostage to be freed by the Israeli forces since the October attack, he is also reportedly the first to be found alive underground.
In his call with the president, Alkadi urged the government to continue working to rescue the ones still in captivity. “Work 24 hours, don’t sleep until they return. People are really suffering, you can’t imagine.”
Alkadi was discovered in a southern Gaza tunnel, where hostages were believed to be held along with militants and explosives, according to the military. Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, stated that he had been moved between several locations during his captivity.
Alkadi was one of eight members of Israel’s Bedouin Arab minority abducted on October 7. At the time, he was working as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of the farming communities targeted in the attack. He has two wives and is a father of 11 children.
‘Not seen sun in eight months’
As per the Israeli media Alkadi said that he had not seen the sun in almost eight months, adding that another hostage who was with him for two months died next to him.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who confirmed he had spoken with Alkadi, praised the troops for the rescue and vowed that Israel would continue to work “tirelessly” to secure the return of all hostages.
Over 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage during the attack, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people. With Alkadi’s rescue, 108 Israeli and foreign hostages remain in Gaza, though about a third are known to have died, while the fate of the others remains uncertain. This operation follows the rescue of four Israeli hostages in June.
Alkadi’s brother, Hathem Alkadi told Channel 12 TV, that he is in good condition and is going through tests. However, he has lost a lot of weight.
“We are happy we saw him and saw him alive, first and foremost. He asked about his family, if his kids were OK and his mother was OK.”
(With agency inputs)