Cleared for publication: An Israeli Bedouin citizen held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7 was rescued Tuesday in a joint IDF-Shin Bet (ISA) operation.
Qaid Farhan al-Qadi met with the Commanding Officer of the IDF’s 162nd Division, BG Itzik Cohen and the Commanding Officer of Shayetet 13 (Israeli Navy Seals), Captain “A” moments after his rescue.
Al-Qadi, a 52-year-old resident of Rahat, was rescued by by IDF fighters from Shayetet 13 (Navy Seals), 401st Brigade, Yahalom and Shin Bet fighters, under the command of Division 162, in a complex rescue operation in the southern Gaza Strip.
החטוף פרחאן קאדי מגיע לסורוקה.
בני משפחתו של החטוף שחולץ רצים לעברו בעת שהגיע לבית החולים pic.twitter.com/SORxC1AAZw
— בז news (@1717Bazz) August 27, 2024
Al-Qadi, a father of 11 children, worked as a security guard at Kibbutz Magen. He was abducted from the nearby community of Mivtahim, along along the Gaza border.
“His family has been updated with details and the IDF is accompanying them,” the IDF said upon announcing the rescue.
“This operation was part of the IDF’s daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza strip,” said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a statement posted on the X social media platform.
“This operation joins a series of actions taken by the IDF that bring us closer to achieving the goals of this war. I would like to reiterate and emphasize: Israel is committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages home to Israel.”
Further details could not be disclosed due to security issues relating to the remaining 108 hostages, along with “the security of our forces and the security of the state,” the IDF and Shin Bet said in the announcement.
Al-Qadi is reported to be in stable medical condition. He was brought to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva for further medical tests.
Al-Qadi’s son Sa’ad said after visiting his father in Soroka, “I still can’t believe he is here. Father is fine. I told him how much we love him and we have not stopped praying for his safety.”
