In a stunning rescue operation, Israeli special forces Shayetet 13 rescued Qaid Farhan al-Qadi from a tunnel in Rafah. al-Qadi was found in a what is being described as a complex operation in a tunnel in Rafah.
Military sources indicate that al-Qadi escaped his Hamas captors when they fled upon hearing Israeli troops approaching. Farhan was working as a guard at the Kibbutz Magen packing house outside Gaza on October 7 when Hamas launched its unprecedented assault on Israel.
While al-Qadi is only the eight hostage to be rescued alive since October 7th, the timing of his rescue and the location show that Hamas is beginning to crumble. Rafah is being described by Gazans as just sand and ash revealing the state of affairs in southern Gaza where Farhan was found.
With rumors spreading that Sinwar is on the run and has left the tunnel system described as a woman, it appears that Hamas’ grip on the Gaza Strip is fast imploding. With each hostage rescued or body found, Hamas loses the only bargaining chips that remain – the hostages.
The war in Gaza may not be pretty and at times appear to be crawling along at a snails pace, but the IDF is winning and at the end all the hostages will be returned either dead or alive.