In a meticulously executed and high-stakes operation, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) special units successfully rescued Bedouin Israeli hostage, Farhan al-Qadi, from a tunnel in Gaza on Tuesday. The complex mission was spearheaded by the IDF Southern Command, alongside the Israeli security agency Shin Bet and the IDF 162nd Division, demonstrating a powerful collaboration of intelligence and military precision.
The rescue mission involved the elite Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commandos and the Yahalom combat engineering unit, both of which are renowned for their expertise in complex, high-risk operations. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari lauded the operation as “brave and complex,” emphasizing that it was driven by precise intelligence. However, Hagari refrained from providing detailed descriptions of the mission, citing the need to maintain confidentiality to protect future operations.
“The operation was meticulously planned and executed by forces on the ground with a clear mission focus,” Hagari stated. “Farhan was questioned in the field for initial intelligence, and more details will be shared as the investigation progresses.”
Farhan al-Qadi, a 52-year-old security guard from Rahat and father of 11, was abducted nearly 10 months ago while working near the community of Mivtahim. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting that al-Qadi had escaped his captors, Hagari clarified that IDF troops successfully extracted him from underground, emphasizing the deliberate and targeted nature of the mission.
The rescue mission was not specifically aimed at al-Qadi but was part of broader IDF operations in southern Gaza, where intelligence had indicated the presence of hostages. During a search of one of the tunnels, Shayetet 13 commandos and Shin Bet agents discovered and freed al-Qadi, who had been moved multiple times by his Hamas captors throughout his captivity.
This operation marks the fourth successful IDF hostage rescue mission, with eight captives recovered through military efforts to date. Notably, it was the first mission conducted underground, differentiating it from previous rescues that occurred in buildings.
Al-Qadi is now receiving medical care at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva, where he is reportedly in good condition despite significant weight loss during his captivity. The IDF remains hopeful that the intelligence gathered from al-Qadi will contribute to future successful rescue operations.
