Official announcements from Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) or Israeli government

Qaid Farhan Al-Qadi, First Arab Hostage, Rescued After 326 Days in Gaza

Aug 28, 2024, 04:54 PM

Qaid Farhan Al-Qadi, a 52-year-old Muslim Israeli Bedouin, was rescued by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after 326 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Al-Qadi, the first Arab hostage to be rescued, was found alone and unguarded in a tunnel in Rafah. He was initially abducted on October 7 and held in harsh conditions, including undergoing surgery with minimal anesthesia. During his captivity, he witnessed the death of fellow hostage Aryeh Zalmanovich, who died due to lack of medical care. The rescue operation, described as complex, marks the eighth successful retrieval of an Israeli hostage since the conflict began. Al-Qadi has since been reunited with his family in Israel and discharged from Soroka Medical Center.