HARESGlobal audiences have been captivated by Farhan al-Qadi's terrifying story of bravery and survival. The courageous man, who Hamas terrorists kidnaped on October 7, has come forward with a startling admission. According to The Times of Israel, he was abducted because he refused to help the terrorists target Jews during their horrific massacre in southern Israel. In a recent interview with Channel 12 News, Al-Qadi discussed his harrowing experience—from his first kidnapping to the IDF troops' eventual rescue of him after an arduous 11-month incarceration.

For al-Qadi, the events of October 7 started like any other day when he was working close to Kibbutz Magen at the Gaza border. Then, anarchy broke out. When the warning sirens went off, al-Qadi thought the disturbance was just a normal rocket barrage coming from Gaza. His sense of normalcy was immediately dashed, though, when he received a terrifying phone call from his brother informing him that Hamas terrorists had penetrated his job. Al-Qadi bravely chose to reject his captors' horrible demands and stand up to them in a moment of decision that would alter his life forever.

Al-Qadi described in his interview with Channel 12 News the extreme dread and uncertainty he had throughout his months in prison. His mental and emotional health suffered as a result of the terrorists' persistent threat of violence and their use of psychological blackmail. He stated, "I went outside and I saw three Hamas terrorists running toward me and firing in my direction at a distance of 100 meters." Al-Qadi claimed that after apprehending him and verifying his Muslim faith, they addressed him, "Drive us to wherever we find Jews in your car." "I was ready to die rather than lead them—not even to a cat—to a Jew. I'm good friends with everyone in the moshav," al-Qadi said to Channel 12. Al-Qadi persevered in refusing to compromise his morals and enable the terrorists' heinous goal despite unspeakable pressure.