Israel’s Military Says It Has Rescued A Hostage Who Was Kidnapped By Hamas

Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, is in a stable medical condition and is being transferred for medical checks at a hospital, the IDF said, following a “complex operation” in southern Gaza.

The Hostages Families Forum said in a statement his “return home is nothing short of miraculous”. It said he “endured 326 days in captivity”.

Mr Alkadi is from the Bedouin community – a predominately Muslim area – and was working as a security guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of several farming communities that were attacked last October.

He has two wives and is the father of 11 children.

Around 108 hostages are believed to still be held by Hamas, about a third of whom are thought to be dead.

A large number were released in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel during a ceasefire last November.

The recovery came as the United States, Egypt and Qatar are trying to mediate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.