Yom Reva’ee
Wednesday
24 Av 5784
August 28 2024
UPDATE 9:00 AM ISRAEL TIME
May His Memory Be For A Blessing
Sgt. Amit Friedman
Sgt. Amit Friedman, 19 years old from Or Yehuda, was a fighter in the 932nd Battalion, the Nahal Brigade. He was killed in battle in southern Gaza.
The Absurd Quote of the Day
In the midst of the joy we all experienced at the rescue of Farhan Al-Qadi yesterday (see below), the leftists in Israel had other thoughts such as this comment from famed leftist commentator Gideon Levy to CNN:
“The operations to release abductees and bodies endanger the lives of innocent Palestinians.”
Say what?
What would the leftists in Israel have us do? Just let the hostages languish forever in Hamas tunnels?
Even if Israel agreed to every Hamas demand, does anyone really believe that all of the hostages would be released? If anyone does, I will sell him or her some prime beachfront property in the middle of the Negev Desert.
The Rescue of Farhan Al-Qadi
As everyone knows, Israeli-Bedouin Farhan Al-Qadi (alternately Qaid Al Qadi,or Farhan Kadi) was rescued yesterday by IDF forces from a 20 meter deep tunnel under Rafah. The 52-year-old father of 11 is hospitalized in stable condition at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva.
Farhan resting in the hospital yesterday.
As stated, his condition is stable despite the fact that he lost 20 kilos during his 326 days in captivity:
Farhan last year before he was taken hostage.
Farhan from the Bedouin city of Rahat near Beersheva was working as a security guard at Kibbutz Magen near the Gaza border. On October 7th when terrorists overran the kibbutz, he was shot in the leg and taken hostage. Not much is known about his months in captivity except that he was taken from tunnel to tunnel and that in at least one instance another hostage (identity not released) died beside him.
The circumstances of his rescue remain unclear. According to one report, he escaped his captors and “ran into” IDF forces in the tunnel. According to Farhan’s account, his captors fled when they heard IDF forces approaching. According to yet another IDF report, the soldiers had to fight their way into the tunnel, and then fight their way out with air support. Whatever the truth is will likely become clear in the coming days.
One of the interesting exchanges yesterday occurred when PM Netanyahu called Farhan on the phone in the hospital. The conversation:
PM Netanyahu: “Farhan, hello to you my friend. Welcome back!”
Farhan: “Hello. Ya Bibi! Abu Yair!”
[Note that in Arabic culture a man is called by the name of Abu (father of) his eldest son–in this case PM Netanyahu’s eldest son is Yair–hence “Abu Yair”).
Netanyahu: “Farhan, I am so happy to speak with you.”
Farhan: “I am also happy. I have been waiting for this moment. I swear to you, Abu Yair.”
Netanyahu: “Tell me, have you already met with your family?”
Farhan Qadi: “Yes, two of my children are here.”
Netanyahu: “I want you to know that we are truly moved from the depth of our hearts, for both you and your family.”
Farhan: “I thank you for this work, that you have reached a situation in which I see my family and am here. You truly did sacred work. There are other people who are waiting.”
Netanyahu: “I want you to know that are not forgetting anyone, just like we did not forget you. We are committed to returning everyone, without exception.”
Farhan: “I thank you very much. I invite you [to my home], Abu Yair.”
Netanyahu: “Thank you. I would like you [now] to embrace your family, and I want you to know that the entire people of Israel embraces you and the others. We will bring them.”
Farhan: “Thank you. May it be G-d’s will. Thank you very much.”
On the Ground in Gaza
The IDF attacked Kizan a-Najjar in southern Gaza, south and east of Khan Younis, Nuseirat, and Jabaliya with artillery fire, ground troops, and air support.
On the Ground in the North
As of this hour this morning, there have been no Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. However, the day is just beginning, and we can expect the usual barrages beginning in the early afternoon.
On the Ground in Judea and Samaria
The most important military news today comes from Judea and Samaria where the IDF has embarked on a major campaign to root out terrorist infrastructure. The IDF–based on the recent unsuccessful suicide attack in Tel Aviv–believes that we may be on the verge of a rash of such attacks targeting buses, cafes, and other locations.
Thus far today:
The IAF attacked an armed terrorist squad that endangered the troops in the Farah settlement south of Tubas; in the attack there are at least 2 killed and 10 wounded.
The IAF has carried out 2 airstrikes in Nur Al Shams east of Tulkarm; in the attack there are at least 3 wounded terrorists, one of them seriously.
The IAF attacked a vehicle with armed terrorists south of Jenin. 5 terrorists were killed.
And so it goes this morning in Israel . . .
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.