Israel says it rescued a hostage from an underground tunnel in Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israel mentioned it rescued a hostage from an underground tunnel in Gaza on Tuesday, liberating one of many scores of individuals kidnapped throughout the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas that ignited the struggle in Gaza.

The rescue introduced a uncommon second of pleasure to Israelis after 10 months of struggle but additionally served as a painful reminder that dozens of hostages are nonetheless in captivity as worldwide mediators attempt to dealer a cease-fire through which they might be launched.

The navy mentioned Qaid Farhan Alkadi was rescued from a tunnel in a “complex operation” within the southern Gaza Strip, however supplied few different particulars. It was not instantly recognized if the rescue was made underneath hearth or if anybody was killed or wounded throughout the operation.

Alkadi was considered one of eight members of Israel’s Arab Bedouin minority who have been kidnapped on Oct. 7. He was working as a guard at a packing manufacturing facility in Kibbutz Magen, considered one of a number of farming communities that got here underneath assault. He has two wives and is the daddy of 11 youngsters.

The 52-year-old is considered one of eight hostages to be rescued alive, and was the primary to be rescued from underground, the Israeli navy mentioned.

The Israeli navy launched footage exhibiting Alkadi moments after the rescue. Unshaven and carrying a white tank high, he’s seen sitting and smiling with troopers earlier than boarding a helicopter to a hospital the place he was taken for medical checks. He appeared gaunt however docs described his situation as steady.

His massive household and residents from across the Rahat space thronged the hospital within the southern Israeli metropolis of Beersheba to welcome him residence.

As Alkadi’s household waited to see him within the hospital, considered one of his brothers held Alkadi’s toddler son, who was born whereas he was in captivity and had not but met his father, the brother mentioned.

Palestinians mourn kin killed within the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Tuesday.

Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

“We’re so excited to hug him and see him and tell him that we’re all here with him,” a member of the family who gave his identify as Faez informed Channel 12. “I hope that every hostage will come home so the families can experience this happiness.”

Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant mentioned the rescue operation was a part of the military’s “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip,” including that Israel is “committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages.”

Israel’s navy spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, mentioned Alkadi was “rescued from an underground tunnel following accurate intelligence.” Alkadi was held in various areas, together with in underground tunnels, throughout his 326 days in captivity, Hagari mentioned.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Alkadi by cellphone quickly after he arrived on the hospital. He mentioned that Israel would depend on rescue operations and negotiations to carry the remaining hostages residence.

“Both ways together require our military presence in the field, and unceasing military pressure on Hamas,” Netanyahu mentioned.

Hamas-led militants kidnapped some 250 individuals within the Oct. 7 assault, through which some 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, have been killed.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, in accordance with native well being officers, who don’t say what number of have been militants. It has displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million individuals from their houses and triggered heavy destruction throughout the besieged territory.

Israeli airstrikes continued on Tuesday throughout the Gaza Strip, and Palestinian officers mentioned not less than 18 individuals, together with eight youngsters, have been killed within the assaults.

Israel believes there are nonetheless 108 hostages in Gaza and that greater than 40 of them are useless. Many of the relaxation have been freed throughout a weeklong cease-fire in November in alternate for the discharge of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Two earlier Israeli operations to free hostages killed scores of Palestinians. Hamas says a number of hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue makes an attempt. Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Mazen Abu Siam, an in depth household pal ready on the hospital, mentioned the household was overjoyed to listen to the information, however they have been nonetheless praying for a cease-fire.

“We are waiting for a deal for one year,” Siam informed The Related Press.

The USA, Egypt and Qatar have spent months attempting to barter an settlement through which the remaining hostages could be freed in alternate for an enduring cease-fire. These talks are ongoing in Egypt this week, however there was no signal of any breakthrough.

Netanyahu has confronted intense criticism from households of the hostages and far of the Israeli public for not but reaching a cope with Hamas to carry them residence.

Hamas hopes to commerce the hostages for an enduring cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the discharge of a lot of Palestinian prisoners, together with high-profile militants.

Final week, after the Israeli navy recovered the our bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza, Israel’s navy spokesperson, Hagari, mentioned the military was working to assemble extra intelligence for rescue operations. However he added that “we cannot bring everyone back through rescue operations alone.”