JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces on Tuesday rescued a hostage found alone and underground in Gaza, freeing one alive from Hamas. Extensive subway network It was the first explosion since the October 7 attack War.
The 52-year-old Israeli Arab man was taken to a hospital in Israel, where members of his large Bedouin family gathered at his bedside to cheer.
The rescue gave Israelis a rare moment of joy after a 10-month war, but also a painful reminder that dozens of hostages are still being held internationally. Mediators try to broker a ceasefire In that they will be freed.
Kait Farhan al-Qadi was found during an operation in a southern Gaza tunnel suspected of holding militants and hostages with explosives, according to the military, which said the rescue had learned “lessons”. Earlier in the war, Israeli troops encountered three hostages inside Gaza, mistakenly shooting them dead, believing them to be terrorists.
Alkadi was one of eight members of Israel’s Arab Bedouin minority kidnapped on October 7. He worked as a guard at a baking factory in Kibbutz Magan, one of the many agricultural communities under attack. He had two wives and fathered 11 children.
AP reporter Joseph Federman says the IDF is not saying much about plans to free captive Kait Farhan Elkadi; But a recent operation has led to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians.
Alkadi was one of eight hostages rescued alive and the first to be rescued from underground, the Israeli military said.
The Israeli military released footage showing Alkadi moments after the rescue. Unshaven and wearing a white tank top, he sits and laughs with soldiers before being boarded by a helicopter and taken to a hospital for a medical check-up. He appeared to be blind, but officials described him as stable.
His extended family and residents from around the Rahat area flocked to the hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba to welcome him home.
As Alkadi’s family waited to see him in hospital, one of his brothers held Alkadi’s infant son, who was born while in captivity and has yet to meet his father, the brother said.
“We’re so happy to hug him and see him and say we’re all with him,” a family member who gave his name as Faze told Channel 12. “I hope every hostage comes home so the families can experience this joy.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the rescue operation was “part of a bold and daring move” by the military, adding that “Israel is committed to taking every opportunity to return the hostages.”
Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, “Alkadi was rescued from the underground tunnel following meticulous intelligence.” Hagari said Algadi was held in several places during his 326 days of captivity, including underground tunnels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Alkadi by phone upon his arrival at the hospital. He said Israel would rely on rescue operations and negotiations to bring the remaining hostages home.
“Both ways together require our military presence in the field and relentless military pressure on Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
Alkadi, who refers to Netanyahu by his traditional Arabic nickname, thanked the prime minister for allowing him to see his family again, according to a video of the call released by Netanyahu’s office.
“Others are waiting,” Alcadi reminded Netanyahu. To which Netanyahu replied, “We don’t forget anyone, we don’t forget you.”
Hamas-led militants abducted around 250 people in an October 7 attack that killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory attacks have killed 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who did not say how many were killed by militants. It has driven 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes and caused widespread destruction across the besieged territory.
Israeli airstrikes continued across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with Palestinian officials saying the strikes killed at least 18 people, including eight children.
Israel believes there are still 108 hostages in Gaza, more than 40 of whom are dead. Most of the rest were released during a week-long ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Scores of Palestinians were killed in two previous Israeli operations to free the hostages. Hamas says many of the hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops Accidentally killed three Israelis Escaped from prison in December.
Mazen Abu Siam, a close family friend who is waiting at the hospital, said the family was overjoyed to hear the news, but they were still praying for a ceasefire.
“We are waiting for a one-year contract,” Siam told The Associated Press.
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have spent several months It is trying to negotiate a deal for the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire. Those talks are underway in Egypt this week, but there is no sign of progress.
Netanyahu faced heavy criticism A deal has yet to be struck with Hamas to bring the hostages home from their families and most of the Israeli public.
Hamas hopes to trade the hostages for a lasting ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners, including high-ranking fighters.
Last week, then The Israeli army has recovered the bodies of 6 hostages in southern GazaIsraeli army spokesman Hagari said the army was working to gather more intelligence for rescue operations. But he added that not all can be recovered through rescue operations alone. ___
Julia Frankel reports from Jerusalem.
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