Tel Aviv [Israel], August 29: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a successful operation to rescue a hostage held in Gaza on August 27, Reuters reported.
Farhan al-Qadi was rescued from a bunker in the southern Gaza Strip in a "complex operation" involving several Israeli special forces, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said. IDF officials said al-Qadi was found alone in the bunker. Israeli media quoted al-Qadi as saying he had "not seen the sun" for nearly eight months, adding that another hostage who was with him had died. He was taken to hospital in Israel in a stable condition.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the military's rescue plan and said he would work tirelessly to secure the release of all the hostages. Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel in October, taking 251 people hostage, 104 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 hostages the IDF said were killed. The Israeli military has continued air strikes on several areas of Gaza in recent days. Gaza's health ministry says more than 40,500 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began nearly a year ago.
The Israeli rescue operation comes as ceasefire talks in Gaza enter their third week with few signs of progress. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said progress was being made and further discussions would be held this week.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
