Farhan Alkadi was held captive by Hamas terrorists in tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip for more than 10 months. The 52-year-old, who belongs to the Bedouin minority, was freed by Israeli soldiers. He was kidnapped by Hamas along with hundreds of other hostages on October 7 last year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was told in a phone call that many people were still waiting to be released.
Farhan Alkadi was taken out of the Gaza Strip in an armored vehicle to a place where a military helicopter could take him to hospital.
– Israeli special forces, during a complex rescue mission, rescued one of our hostages from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip – Farhan Alkadi from the Bedouin community in Rahat, southern Israel – said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari of the Israel Defense Forces.
Upon hearing of Farhan's release, his family and friends rushed to the hospital in Beer Sheva. In the arms of one of his brothers was Farhan's infant son.
“He is very happy and excited. Farhan has not seen him yet and I want to surprise him,” said the brother of the released hostage, Ismail Alkadi.
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“There are still a lot of people waiting”
Farhan Alkadi was kidnapped nearly 11 months ago during a bloody attack by Hamas terrorists on southern Israeli towns. He was held in underground tunnels in Gaza. The Israeli military has not released any details about his release.
“I was just in his room. Thank God Farhan is fine,” said Hatem Alkadi, the second brother of the released hostage.
“He told me about the brutal prison. He barely saw the sun, for more than 10 months he didn't see any daylight,” added Attar Abu Madiam, mayor of Rahat.
The Israeli prime minister called the hospital. “I wanted to thank you for what you did. That I'm in a place where I can see my family. It's a sacred thing what you did, but there are still many people waiting,” said Farhan Alkadi.
One third of Israeli hostages likely dead
More than a hundred Israeli hostages have not yet returned from Gaza. A third of them are believed to be dead. The families of those kidnapped during weekly demonstrations in Israel are demanding that the authorities do everything they can to rescue them.
“This government should resign because it's not doing everything it should. It's ruining the country and the economy, but it's not taking care of getting the hostages home,” said Ilan Cohen, a protester.
Farhan Alkadi is just the eighth hostage to be freed by the Israeli military. Nearly 80 returned to Israel under a brief ceasefire with Hamas.
– The majority of the society and the government understand that an agreement must be reached to save their lives, even at the cost of ending the war – emphasized Yotam Cohen, brother of hostage Nimrod Cohen.
There is still no such agreement between Hamas and the Israeli government.
Main image source: Reuters