‘He Was Resurrected Today’: Israeli Hostage Rescued After Escaping Hamas Captors

Jerusalem, 27 August, 2024 (TPS) -- An Israeli hostage was rescued by Israeli forces after managing to escape his captors from a tunnel in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday.

Farhan Al Qadi, a 52-year-old resident of the Bedouin Negev town of Rahat, was taken back to Beer-Sheva for a medical checkup and family reunion.

“We got a surprise today, we got a new person who came out of the dead. He was resurrected today,” said Farhan’s brother, Hatem.

Hamas abducted Al Qadi on October 7 from Kibbutz Magen where he was working as a guard in a packing house.

The military said it expanded its operations in Rafah after receiving intelligence about the presence of living hostages in the area. Soldiers received what the army called a “golden tip” from Gaza residents about a tunnel shaft where Al Qadi was being held.

Eight terrorists in the tunnel were killed during the rescue operation.

The Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva released a photo of Al Qadi and said he underwent an initial assessment.

“He is fully conscious and in good general condition,” the hospital said.

Israeli Bedouin hostage Farhan Al Qadi with family and doctors at the Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva after Israeli forces rescued him from Gaza on Aug. 27, 2024. Photo by Soroka Medical Center

While the army called the mission “a complex rescue operation,” IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters he could not yet share details.

“We are working to fulfill the lofty mission of returning all the abductees with all our efforts. Along with the joy of Farhan’s return, and every abductee is a complete world – 108 abductees and abductees are still being held in Gaza. We are working to bring everyone home,” Hagari said.

The Hostages Families Forum hailed the rescue, saying, “Qadi’s return home is nothing short of miraculous,” adding, “However, we must remember: military operations alone cannot free the remaining 108 hostages, who have suffered 326 days of abuse and terror. A negotiated deal is the only way forward.”

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 104 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.