Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday praised the rescue of hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi from Hamas captivity in Gaza.
“I am overjoyed by the successful rescue of the hostage ... a Muslim resident of the Bedouin Israeli community in the Negev, who was kidnapped on Oct. 7 ... when Hamas terrorists came to indiscriminately abduct, murder and rape—without distinction by race or religion,” said Herzog.
“I congratulate the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Security Agency and all the security services, and send my blessings to [Alkadi’s] family on his return, which is a moment of joy for the State of Israel and Israeli society as a whole,” he continued.
“I wish for the immediate and swift return of all our 108 hostages, who are being held cruelly in captivity in Gaza,” he added.
Alkadi, 52, from the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev Desert, was rescued from a tunnel in southern Gaza in a “complex operation” by IDF and ISA forces.
The father of 11 was in stable condition and recovering at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the rescue operation as part of the IDF’s “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip,” which “bring us closer to achieving the goals of this war.”
Israel, he emphasized, “is committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages home to Israel.”
