- Military forces successful in liberating additional Hamas captives from Gaza region.
Israeli forces have once again liberated a captive from the grasp of the notorious Palestinian militant group, Hamas. A 52-year-old Bedouin man was saved in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip, as confirmed by the military. The individual, identified as Kaid Farhan Alkadi, was seized during a terrorist assault on October 7. He appears to be in good health and was transported to a medical facility for examination.
First Hostage Escape from a Tunnel
During a press briefing, Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari revealed that elite units managed to extract him from a tunnel. The man, who reportedly has 11 children, became the first survivor to be freed from a tunnel, as per Israeli media. Initially, it was unclear if any skirmishes occurred at the scene.
The Hostage Families Support Group expressed delight over the rescue and stated that the Bedouin worked as a security guard at Kibbutz Magen, located near the Gaza Strip border. He had endured captivity for a total of 326 days.
His homecoming was hailed as nothing short of extraordinary. However, his family emphasized that military operations alone could not secure the release of others. They contended that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza conflict was the only viable solution.
They urged the global community to pressure Hamas into signing a peace agreement and liberating all captives. "Every additional day in captivity is excessive. The remaining captives cannot afford to wait for another miracle."
Relatives Overjoyed upon Reunion
Numerous relatives visited the hospital to greet the freed individual. One of his family members shared with the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" that they found it hard to believe he had returned. "We've been waiting for approximately 11 months," he stated. "We're thrilled to witness him and embrace him."
The Israeli TV channel Kan reported that he was one of six Bedouins abducted by Hamas on October 7. Bedouins form the Arab minority in Israel, frequently facing discrimination. Some of them serve in the Israeli military. The estimated Bedouin population is around 250,000 nationwide, with many residing in the Negev desert in southern Israel. Following the rescue, a Bedouin relative told news site ynet: "The entire Negev is celebrating!"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supposedly spoke to the rescued person over the phone. He expressed his elation over the rescue in their conversation, praising it as a source of inspiration for all Israelis. Israeli President Izchak Herzog also celebrated the successful recovery, lauding it as a "moment of joy" for the Israeli state and society as a whole.
Last captives rescued in June
"The Israeli security forces are committed to using all available resources to bring the captives back home," the military declared in a statement. This marks the eighth survivor liberated by the military.
In June, the young woman Noa Argamani and three other captives were rescued in a daring military operation. According to the military, fierce clashes with Palestinians armed with weapons erupted during the operation. As per the Hamas-controlled health authority, 274 Palestinians perished at the time.
At present, according to Israel, 108 captives remain in Gaza.
According to Israeli intelligence, Hamas now holds 108 captives, with roughly a third believed to have perished. On October 7 last year, Palestinian terrorists seized more than 250 individuals from Israel and transported them to the Gaza coastal region. Over 1,200 individuals lost their lives during the unprecedented terrorist attack.
Israel's military retaliated with devastating attacks in Gaza, allegedly causing over 40,400 casualties, according to Palestinian sources. The Hamas-controlled health authority does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in these casualty figures.
Talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, have been stagnant for months. The last progress was in November, when over 100 captives were freed from Hamas custody during a brief ceasefire.
- Upon learning about the rescue, various members of the Israeli parliament, including the former Knesset member from the Alignment party, expressed their relief and congratulations.
- During a press conference, when asked about the release of the hostage, several politicians, including the ex-Knesset member from the Alignment, emphasized the need for a lasting ceasefire agreement to ensure the release of all remaining captives.
