Written By Lisa Murimi
The Israeli military announced the successful rescue of Kaid Farhan Elkadi, a 52-year-old Bedouin Arab who was kidnapped by Hamas militants during the 7 October attack on Israel.Â
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, carried out the “complex operation” in the southern Gaza Strip.
Details of the mission remain classified due to security concerns.
Elkadi, who is in stable condition, was transferred to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba for medical evaluation.
Emotional scenes unfolded as family members rushed to reunite with him at the hospital. Elkadi is the eighth hostage rescued by Israeli forces since the conflict in Gaza began.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised the operation, describing it as part of the IDF’s “daring and courageous activities” aimed at achieving the objectives of the ongoing war.
He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to rescuing hostages held by Hamas.
Elkadi, a father of 11 and grandfather of one, hails from a Bedouin village in the Negev desert. He was abducted 10 months ago while working as a security guard at Kibbutz Magen, near the Israel-Gaza border.
The rescue operation is part of Israel’s broader campaign to dismantle Hamas following the 7 October attack, which claimed 1,200 Israeli lives and led to the abduction of 251 people.
The conflict has resulted in over 40,430 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
