Israel announced on Tuesday that it had freed Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who was taken hostage on October 7, according to Reuters.
The 52-year-old was rescued during what Israeli authorities described as a “complex operation” in southern Gaza, carried out amid ongoing conflict with Hamas fighters in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli officials, Alkadi is in stable medical condition.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health officials reported that at least 22 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes across the territory, as the death toll in the conflict continues to rise. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 40,400, with survivors facing severe risks of famine, infection, and the spread of deadly diseases.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, ceasefire talks in Cairo have stalled, with no progress made on resolving the critical issues separating the sides. The lack of a ceasefire agreement has exacerbated the crisis, leaving many in Gaza without access to basic necessities.
The situation took a turn for the worse on Sunday when Israel issued a new evacuation order for Deir Al-Balah, an area that houses key UN operations. This move forced the suspension of United Nations aid activities on Monday, just as preparations were underway to vaccinate over 600,000 children in Gaza against polio, as a potential outbreak looms.
The continued evacuation orders and the shrinking of humanitarian zones have drawn strong criticism from Palestinians, the United Nations, and international relief organizations, who warn that the absence of safe areas is putting countless lives at risk.