Army described today’s operation as ‘complex’ and ‘brave’. “The troops found the location thanks to accurate intelligence,” said army spokesman Daniel Hagari, according to The Times of Israel (ToI).
Fifty-two-year-old Farhán Kádí, who comes from the Bedouin community, he was taken to hospital and is in good health.
“I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s better than having a new baby” said Kadi’s brother, who met him at the hospital and posted the first photo of the reunion. “We are very happy to embrace him. We hope that other families will also experience such a moment.” one of the relatives said, according to the Haaretz daily.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog also congratulated the Israeli army and other security forces for rescuing Farhan Kadi, who said he was overjoyed. “His return is a moment of joy for the State of Israel and Israeli society as a whole,” the president stated. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already spoken to Qadi by phone, who, according to the ToI server, told him that all Israelis “are excited about his rescue.”
326 days in captivity
According to ToI, 104 people remain in captivity out of 251 people kidnapped last October, of which 34 are dead according to the Israeli army. Hamas released 105 hostages last year in late November during the only truce in the war so far, while Israel released 240 Palestinians from prison. Hamas released the four abductees before the ceasefire.
The Israeli military has rescued eight hostages alive since October and brought back to Israel the bodies of 30 dead or killed abductees, including three accidentally killed by Israeli soldiers. Several hundred Palestinians also died during the two rescue operations that accompanied the Israeli bombardment of the site.
The family forum, which brings together the relatives of some of the kidnapped, today welcomed the rescue of one of the hostages, but stressed that a deal with Hamas was needed as soon as possible to free all the hostages.
“He spent 326 days in captivity,” the forum said today. “Kajid’s return home is a miracle. But we must remember that a military operation alone cannot save all 108 remaining hostages. The only way forward is to negotiate a deal,” said the forum, which regularly organizes demonstrations for the conclusion of an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. He also blames the government for not doing enough to rescue the abductees and prefers the goal of destroying the Hamas movement, which many consider unrealistic.
According to the ToI server, in addition to the 104 people kidnapped last year on October 7, Hamas is also holding two Israelis, Avera Mengistu and Hisham Said, who crossed into Gaza alone in 2014 and 2015. According to some sources, the two men suffer from psychological problems. Among the dead, whose extradition Israel is also negotiating, are two Israeli soldiers, Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, who died in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
