The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that its soldiers had rescued a Yazidi woman who had been kidnapped and enslaved by ISIS in Iraq and then trafficked to Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Iraq's Yazidi minority has been persecuted by ISIS, the so-called Islamic State, with many killed and starved to death, and women in particular subjected to rape and enslavement.
The IDF said in a statement (emphasis removed):
After more than 10 years in captivity in Gaza: IDF led by COGAT [Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories]working with the U.S. Embassy in Israel, rescued a young Yazidi woman held captive by ISIS-affiliated Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman was captured this week in an operation coordinated by the IDF, led by COGAT, in cooperation with the US Embassy in Israel and other international stakeholders, and led by Fauzia Amin Sid. He was released from prison and returned to Iraq. About 10 years ago, when she was just 11 years old, ISIS terrorists trafficked her to ISIS-affiliated Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, where she was imprisoned.
During the “Iron Sword” war, possibly during an Israeli Defense Forces offensive in the Gaza Strip, the terrorists holding her were killed and she fled to a hideout within the Gaza Strip. She was recently rescued from the Gaza Strip in a secret mission through the Kerem Shalom crossing, in a complex operation involving Israel, the United States and other international actors. Once in Israel, she crossed the Allenby Bridge to Jordan and from there returned to her family in Iraq.
This is further evidence of the links between the terrorist organizations Hamas and ISIS, and further evidence of the crimes against humanity committed by the murderous terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. The IDF continues to work to dismantle the Hamas/ISIS terrorist organization, attack terrorist infrastructure, and free all hostages held by Hamas.
The State of Israel will cooperate with the international community to promote humanitarian efforts in accordance with the values of the State of Israel, which abides by international law.
Breitbart News learned of the rescue and contacted the Israeli government at a press conference a few days ago, but received no response, apparently because the operation was still classified.
Separately, the IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency, Shin Bet, Shabak) announced the confirmed death of a Hamas government leader in Gaza.
The IDF and ISA have now announced that the following terrorists were eliminated in a joint IDF and ISA attack in the Gaza Strip approximately three months ago. Sameh al-Shirazi was in charge of the security portfolio in Hamas' political bureau and Hamas' labor committee. and Sami Oudeh, commander of Hamas' general security apparatus.
During a precision strike based on IDF and ISA intelligence, IAF fighter jets attacked and eliminated terrorists hiding in a fortified and well-equipped underground facility in the northern Gaza Strip. The facility served as a command and control center for Hamas, allowing senior operatives to remain inside the facility for long periods of time.
The facility was controlled by senior members of Hamas' general security apparatus and served as a hideout for Hamas leadership led by Mushtaha.
After the attack on the facility and the elimination of the terrorists, Hamas did not announce the death of the terrorists as it did after previous eliminations, in order to prevent a decline in the morale and capabilities of terrorist operatives.
Rahi Mushtaha was one of Hamas' most senior operatives and had a direct influence on decisions regarding Hamas's troop deployment. Mr. Mushtaha was Hamas's civilian governance chief in the Gaza Strip, responsible for the prisoner of war portfolio and involved in military decisions. Previously, I also held a financial portfolio.
Mushtaha established Hamas's general security mechanism alongside Yahya Sinwar. They served time together in Israeli prisons. Mushtaha was considered the most senior member of Hamas' political bureau in the Gaza Strip, and maintained civilian control of the Hamas regime during the war, while also engaging in terrorist activities against Israel. Mushtaha was Sinwar's right-hand man and one of his closest aides.
The IDF and ISA will continue to pursue all terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and carry out operations against those who threaten the State of Israel.
In Lebanon, the IDF continued to fight Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon and attacked Hezbollah officials and headquarters in Beirut.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. he is the author of Agenda: What should President Trump do in his first 100 days?available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of Trumpian Virtues: Lessons and Legacy of the Donald Trump Presidencynow available on Audible. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
