An Israeli hostage kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 was rescued today in an operation by the IDF and Shin Bet.

52-year-old Qaid Farhan Alkadi, from the largely Arab city of Rahat in Southern Israel, was rescued by Shayetet 13, the 401st Brigade, Yahalom, and ISA forces under the command of the 162nd Division in a complex operation in the south of the Gaza Strip, according to a joint statement by the IDF and Shin Bet.

It continued: “No further details can be published due to considerations of the safety of our hostages, the security of our forces, and national security.

But they confirmed that Alkadi was “in a stable medical condition and is being transferred for medical checks at a hospital. His family has been updated with the details, and the IDF is accompanying them.”

The father of 11 was working as a security guard in Kibbutz Magen on the morning of October 7 after which contact with him was lost according to the Citizens of Bedouin Society Victims Forum in the Negev.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said on social media: “I am overjoyed by the successful rescue of the hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi. Qaid, a Muslim resident of the Bedouin Israeli community in the Negev, who was kidnapped on October 7th from where he worked in Kibbutz Magen when Hamas terrorists came to indiscriminately abduct, murder, and rape — without distinction between race or religion.

“I congratulate the IDF, the Shin Bet, and all the security services, and send my blessings to his family on his return - which is a moment of joy for the State of Israel and Israeli society as a whole.

“I wish for the immediate and swift return of all our 108 hostages, who are being held cruelly in captivity in Gaza.”

Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X/Twitter: “As part of the bold and determined actions of the IDF and Shin Bet forces deep in the Gaza Strip, our fighters managed to rescue Farhan Alkadi and return him to his family in Israel.

“This operation joins a number of impressive operational activities, which bring us closer to achieving all the goals of the war. I repeat and emphasise: we are committed to take advantage of every opportunity to return the abductees to their homes.”

The Hostage families forum said in a statement “The wonderful news of his return is a sign of light amongst the darkness for the families of the hostages and the people of Israel.

“We wish to thank the wonderful forces of our IDF who helped Qaid return home safely.

“A deal is the only way to secure the return of the remaining 108 hostages- The living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial.”