The IDF and the Shin Bet on Tuesday rescued Israeli-Bedoin hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who was held by Hamas since October 7, from Rafah.
The operation was led by Division 162, Brigade 401, Yahalom anti-tunnel special forces, along with the Shayetet 13 naval commandos.
The hostage’s name is Kaid Farhan al-kaadi, age 52, from Rahat.
Al-Kaadi is healthy and is undergoing further health checks at an unidentified hospital.
It is the fourth successful operation to rescue live Israeli hostages from Hamas, though there have been several successful operations finding and returning dozens of bodies of hostages killed by Hamas.
He is the eighth live hostage rescued from Gaza, which brings the number of remaining hostages down to 108 from an original round of 250.
Al-Kaadi is the first live hostage to be rescued from a tunnel, with all prior live hostage rescues taking place above ground.
So far, the IDF has not shared any details about the battle to free the hostage and how many Hamas forces it confronted.
Defense officials commend the rescue
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said, “We do everything we can to save hostages. The IDF and the Shin Bet showed courage, determination, and taking initiative in a complex operation.”
The IDF and ISA have rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi from Gaza where he was held hostage, and brought him to his family in Israel. This operation was part of the IDF’s daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza strip. This operation joins a series of actions…
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 27, 2024
Likewise, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the success of the operation and said the IDF would continue with such daring operations.