Israel Rescues Yazidi Woman Kidnapped by ISIS at Age 11 from Gaza

Israel Defense Forces rescued Fawzi Amin Sido, a Yazidi woman kidnapped by ISIS at the age of 11 and trafficked to Gaza, where she had been held for years. The rescue was coordinated with the U.S. and other international actors, reuniting Sido with her family in Iraq after nearly a decade of captivity.

Sido was abducted in 2014 during ISIS's brutal attack on the Yazidi community in Sinjar, Iraq, when thousands were killed or enslaved. She was eventually sold to a man from Gaza, where she remained captive. Recently, her captor was killed in an Israeli strike amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, allowing her to escape and seek help.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the complex operation that extracted Sido from Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. She was taken to Jordan and then to Iraq, where she was reunited with her family in Sinjar. The IDF highlighted the operation as further evidence of the connection between Hamas and ISIS, noting the crimes committed by these terror groups.

The rescue, carried out in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and Jordanian authorities, also underscores the ongoing collaboration between Israel and international partners in humanitarian efforts.

Fawzi’s story is a powerful reminder of the horrors faced by the Yazidi community. In 2014, ISIS launched a campaign of genocide against the Yazidis, resulting in over 5,000 deaths and the abduction of more than 6,000 Yazidis, primarily women and children. Many were sold into slavery or indoctrinated into extremist ideologies. While thousands have been rescued over the years, approximately 2,600 remain missing.

Jewish philanthropist Steve Maman, known for his efforts in rescuing Yazidi captives, celebrated Sido’s return to her family. “I made a promise to Fawzia that I would bring her back home to her mother in Sinjar,” he said, sharing a video of the emotional reunion.

The rescue of Fawzi Amin Sido serves as a symbol of hope for the many Yazidis who are still searching for their loved ones. It also shines a light on the ongoing collaboration between Israel and the international community to combat terrorism and bring justice to victims of these atrocities.

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