Watch: IDF rescues father of 11 after 326 days, first successful rescue from Gaza’s tunnels

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a father of 11, from Hamas captivity after 326 days in a dramatic operation on Tuesday morning. Soldiers found Alkadi alone and disheveled in a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza, reported the New York Post.

Alkadi is a member of Israel’s Bedouin Arab community.

The IDF shared video footage showing Alkadi, 52, shaking hands with IDF Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen. In the footage, Alkadi is seen expressing gratitude to the troops for rescuing him. He appeared overjoyed, smiling widely as he interacted with Cohen and other soldiers.


Another video captures Alkadi giving the soldiers a thumbs-up as they move toward a military chopper. Despite some anxiety about the ride, Alkadi continued to smile during the journey out of Gaza. He was taken to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, where medical staff promptly attended to him.


The IDF has yet to release comprehensive details of the rescue but noted that the operation was successful due to precise intelligence. The military encountered no resistance, indicating that Hamas gunmen likely fled the area. This follows previous instances where IDF troops met little opposition during operations in southern Gaza.

Sharing his emotions, Alkadi said, “Hebrew outside the door, I couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe it,” reported the Times of Israel.

After being reunited with his family and undergoing a health evaluation, Alkadi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He expressed his gratitude for the rescue and urged Netanyahu to prioritize the rescue of other hostages.

“There are others who are waiting,” Alkadi told the Prime Minister. “People are suffering there, every minute… do everything to bring people home.”

Alkadi was captured by Hamas near Mivtahim, where he worked as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen. His rescue marks the first successful extraction of a live hostage from Gaza’s tunnel networks, with previous rescues occurring above ground.

The operation took place amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with numerous hostages still awaiting rescue. According to Alkadi, their suffering is profound, and immediate efforts are necessary to secure their freedom.