One of the hostages who was kidnapped by Hamas during its rampage in southern Israel on October 7 has been rescued, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced.

The IDF said in a statement that Kaid Farhan Al Qadi, 53, had been subject to “a complex rescue operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” according to a translation from the Hebrew.

Social media users had earlier speculated that Al Qadi had escaped from captivity in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, although this was not confirmed by the IDF which Newsweek has contacted for comment.

Al Qadi was among the estimated 109 hostages held by Hamas following their capture last October which preceded the Israel-Gaza War.

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