Israeli forces rescue hostage held in Gaza tunnels for 326 days

Qaid Farhan Alkadi was discovered alone underground on Tuesday after being held hostage in Gaza for 326 days. Israeli forces, while searching Hamas’ extensive tunnel network, found and freed him.

“Suddenly, I heard someone speaking Hebrew outside the door. I couldn’t believe it,” Alkadi, 52, recounted from an Israeli hospital during a phone call with Israel’s president. His large Bedouin Arab family gathered around his bedside in a joyful reunion.

He became the eighth hostage rescued by Israeli forces since around 250 people were kidnapped during the October 7 attack that sparked the war, and the first to be found alive underground. The rescue provided a rare moment of relief for Israelis after ten months of conflict. However, it also highlighted the painful reality that many hostages remain in captivity as international mediators work to broker a cease-fire.

During the call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Alkadi expressed gratitude and urged leaders to do everything possible to free the remaining captives. “Work 24 hours, don’t sleep until they return. People are really suffering; you can’t imagine,” he said, according to a transcript from Herzog’s office.

Alkadi was found in a southern Gaza tunnel, where hostages were suspected to be held alongside militants and explosives, according to the military. He was moved between several locations during his captivity, according to military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the rescue as part of the army’s “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip.” The military mentioned applying lessons learned from previous operations in rescuing Alkadi. Earlier, Israeli troops accidentally killed three hostages inside Gaza, mistaking them for militants.

Alkadi was one of eight members of Israel’s Bedouin Arab minority abducted on October 7. He worked as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of several farming communities attacked. He has two wives and 11 children.

Israel estimates that 108 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly one-third believed to be dead. Most of the others were freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Footage released by the Israeli military showed Alkadi moments after his rescue. Unshaven and in a white tank top, he is seen sitting and smiling with soldiers before boarding a helicopter to a hospital. He appeared emaciated but was described as stable.

His family gathered at the hospital in Beersheba to welcome him home. One of his brothers held Alkadi’s infant son, born during his captivity. Faez, a family member, told Channel 12, “We’re so excited to hug him and see him and tell him that we’re all here with him. I hope every hostage will come home so the families can experience this happiness.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with Alkadi by phone soon after he arrived at the hospital. Netanyahu stated that Israel would rely on both rescue operations and negotiations to bring the remaining hostages home. “Both ways together require our military presence in the field and unceasing military pressure on Hamas,” Netanyahu said.

Alkadi thanked Netanyahu, using a traditional Arabic nickname, for enabling him to see his family again. However, he reminded Netanyahu that “there are others waiting.” Netanyahu replied, “We haven’t forgotten anyone, just as we haven’t forgotten you.”

Hamas-led militants abducted around 250 people during their October 7 attack in Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who do not specify how many were militants. The conflict has displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and caused widespread destruction.

Israeli airstrikes continued on Tuesday across Gaza, with Palestinian officials reporting at least 18 fatalities, including eight children. Prior Israeli operations to free hostages resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties. Hamas claims several hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Mazen Abu Siam, a close family friend waiting at the hospital, described the family’s joy upon hearing the news but mentioned they were still praying for a cease-fire. “We are waiting for a deal for one year,” Siam said.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been trying to negotiate an agreement for months to free the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting cease-fire. Talks are ongoing, but no breakthrough has been reported.

Netanyahu has faced significant criticism from families of the hostages and the Israeli public for not yet reaching a deal with Hamas. Hamas seeks to trade the hostages for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the release of many Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Last week, after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza, military spokesperson Hagari noted that the army was working to gather more intelligence for rescue operations. However, he added, “we cannot bring everyone back through rescue operations alone.”