Former IDF Soldiers Rescue American Woman in West Bank

A group of former Israel Defense Forces combat soldiers successfully executed a rescue plan to bring an American woman and her child home after being held for three years by a Palestinian man.

The woman, who’s name has not been released, married a Palestinian man she met in the United States and began living with him, and his other wife and four kids, in his home near Tulkarm.  She and her son had not been permitted to leave the home in three years.

The abusive husband hit the woman and threatened that if she ever left, she would not see her son again.  He also said that the Shin Bet would apprehend her if she were out on her own.

The Israeli and United States governments worked with the Palestinian Authority to secure her release, though all efforts failed.  A former IDF combat soldier found out about what was happening and decided to intervene.  Along with nine of his old army buddies, the man led a mission to extract the woman and her son from the house.

Giora, one of the men who took part in rescuing the woman and her son, told Israel Radio that while the IDF was not aware of the operation, the US consulate was updated about every step of the mission… “The rescue mission was planned in a similar way to operations carried out during my time in the military in a way that ensured no lives were endangered.”

The woman was taken to the US Consulate in Jerusalem where arrangements were made for her to travel home to Ohio where her family is waiting.  A reward was offered to the men for saving her from the Palestinian husband, though the group said that they were not seeking any money.