The IDF and Shin Bet rescued Israeli-Bedouin hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi from Rafah on Tuesday, who had been held by Hamas since October 7.
The operation was led by Division 162, Brigade 401, Yehlum Anti-Tunnel Special Forces as well as Shiite 13 Naval Commandos.
The name of the hostage is Qaid Farhan Al Kaadi, aged 52 years, from Rahat.
Alkadi is healthy and undergoing further medical examination at an undisclosed hospital.
This is the fourth successful operation to rescue alive Israeli hostages from Hamas, although there have been several successful operations to find and return the bodies of dozens of hostages killed by Hamas.
He is the eighth surviving hostage rescued from Gaza, reducing the number of hostages remaining to 108 from the original round of 250.
Alkadi is the first living hostage to be rescued from the tunnel, all previous hostages have been rescued above ground.
So far, the IDF has not shared any details about the battle to free the hostages and how many Hamas forces it faced.
Defense officials appreciate the rescue.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said, “We do everything possible to rescue the hostages. The IDF and the Shin Bet showed courage, determination and initiative in a complex operation.”
The IDF and ISA have rescued Qaed Farhan al-Qadi from Gaza, where he was being held hostage, and delivered him to his family in Israel. This operation was part of the IDF's bold and courageous activities inside the Gaza Strip. This operation involves a series of operations…
— Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 27, 2024
Similarly, Defense Minister Yves Gallant praised the operation's success and said the IDF would continue such bold operations.