A Bedouin Arab man rescued in Gaza has urged Israel to reach a deal with Hamas to free all the remaining hostages, as harrowing details of his captivity have emerged.
Kaid Farhan Elkadi, 52, was rescued in a “complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip” by the Israeli military on Tuesday. After returning to his village in southern Israel, Mr. Elkadi expressed that his “happiness is not complete as long as there are detainees” on both sides.
During his time in captivity, Mr. Elkadi was hardly exposed to sunlight for eight months, according to a former Israeli mayor. He was kidnapped by Hamas during the 7 October attack on Israel and is the eighth hostage rescued by Israeli forces since the conflict began.
Upon his return to his home village of Karkur in the Negev desert, Mr. Elkadi made a heartfelt plea for the release of all hostages, regardless of their background. He emphasized that all hostages have families waiting for them and deserve to experience joy once again.
“I hope, I pray for an end to this,” Mr. Elkadi said, recounting his message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call. Efforts by US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators are underway to broker a ceasefire deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Mr. Elkadi’s ordeal in captivity was described as “difficult days, a very cruel captivity” by Ata Abu Medigam, a former mayor. He shared that one of his fellow detainees died next to him, and he began to worry about losing his eyesight.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mr. Elkadi did not receive preferential treatment due to his Muslim faith, according to his cousin. He was isolated from the outside world and lived in constant fear of bombings overhead.
The Israeli military found Mr. Elkadi in an underground tunnel, alone, and details of his rescue remain confidential for security reasons. Indirect talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been ongoing in Cairo, but key issues, such as the presence of Israeli troops along Gaza’s border with Egypt, remain unresolved.
Mr. Elkadi’s release has shed light on the plight of other hostages, including two Bedouin Arabs who are still alive and one whose body is being held by Hamas. The community continues to hope for a resolution to the conflict and the safe return of all hostages.
