Israeli hostage Farhan Alkadi was unexpectedly discovered during an IDF operation in Hamas tunnels in southern Gaza, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing two senior Israeli officials.
A team led by Shayetet 13 was searching the tunnels for terrorists when they found Alkadi alone in a chamber about 25 meters (80 feet) underground. Unlike other hostage rescues, Alkadi was freed without a fight.
The IDF is still investigating how Alkadi was found on his own, seemingly abandoned by his captors. According to a source briefed on the rescue, the soldiers initially feared Alkadi might be a Hamas operative but quickly realized he was an Israeli hostage. The soldiers described him as weak and malnourished, unable to climb out of the tunnel on his own.
(Ynet)