An Israeli Bedouin man, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, was rescued after being held hostage in Gaza for over 10 months. He was rescued from an underground tunnel in a complex mission by Israeli commandos acting on intelligence. Alkadi, a father of 11 from southern Israel, was taken hostage during Hamas’ October 7 attacks while working in security at a packing factory. The full details of his rescue were not immediately clear due to security concerns, but he was found in stable medical condition and was transferred to a hospital for further checks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Alkadi on his release and promised to continue efforts to bring home all abductees.
The rescue operation comes as a part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. More than 100 hostages are believed to remain in captivity, with some held since 2014. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called for a ceasefire deal that would lead to the release of the remaining hostages, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to end the suffering of those held in Gaza. Negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, but have yet to yield any results. The forum acknowledged the significance of Alkadi’s rescue but stressed the need for further action to secure the release of all hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum represents families of those held hostage in Gaza and has been advocating for the release of the captives. The forum revealed that during the October 7 attacks, around 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 individuals were taken hostage into Gaza. Some individuals who remain in captivity are believed to have been held since that date. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal that would ensure the release of hostages have intensified, with calls for international intervention to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The forum highlighted the urgent need to address the plight of the hostages who continue to endure abuse and terror in captivity.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commended the operation that led to Alkadi’s rescue, stating that it brings them closer to achieving their objectives in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli government remains committed to utilizing every opportunity to bring the hostages home safely. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Alkadi of the support and excitement felt by the Israeli people upon his release, promising to continue working towards the return of all abductees. The rescue operation is a part of a series of actions taken by the Israel Defense Forces to address the hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of those held captive.
Alkadi’s rescue is considered a miraculous event by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, but they continue to stress the urgency of negotiating a ceasefire deal to ensure the release of all hostages being held in Gaza. The forum emphasized that military operations alone cannot free the hostages and called for a diplomatic solution to address the ongoing conflict. It is imperative to focus on diplomatic efforts to bring about a resolution that will end the suffering of those held in captivity. The forum’s headquarters serve as a hub for advocating for the release of hostages and seeking international support in addressing the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
