Israeli military rescues Yazidi woman from Gaza after 10 years in captivity

The Israeli army rescued a Yazidi woman, Fawzia Sido, 21, who had been held in Gaza after being captured by Islamic State group jihadists a decade ago. The rescue operation involved collaboration with the United States, Jordan, and other international partners. Sido was freed in a secret mission and safely transported back to her family in Iraq. Iraqi officials acknowledged her return, emphasizing the extensive efforts made to facilitate her safe homecoming. The woman’s ordeal began at the age of 11 when she was kidnapped by ISIS in Iraq, sold into marriage with a Hamas fighter in Gaza, and forced to stay against her will. Following her rescue from Gaza, Israeli officials revealed that she had been trafficked by ISIS to a Hamas member, highlighting the ideological links between the two extremist groups. The rescue mission shed light on the horrific violence faced by the Yazidi community at the hands of ISIS, resulting in mass abductions and violence. Despite the challenges faced, Sido’s safe return marks a rare victory in the ongoing conflict in the region.