Israel is intensifying efforts to secure the release of Arbel Yehoud, 29, a civilian hostage abducted during Hamas’s October 7 attacks. According to an Israeli official, significant diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure her release “as quickly as possible.”
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that “Israel today received four female soldiers kidnapped from the Hamas terrorist organization, and in exchange, will release security prisoners according to the agreed-upon deal. In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip – until the release of civilian Arbel Yehoud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged.”
The PMO statement echoed an earlier statement by IDF Spokesman R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari, who said that “Hamas failed to meet its obligations to release Israeli female civilian hostages first as part of the agreement.
“We remain steadfast in our determination to bring home Arbel Yehoud, as well as Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Kfir and Ariel, whose well-being is of utmost concern,” Hagari said.
A US official told The Jerusalem Post, "We are continuing to push for Arbel Yahud’s release through negotiation channels."
Hamas subsequently blamed Israel for the delays and said that the IDF was preventing Gazan civilians from returning to the north.
“The occupation [Israel] is still delaying the implementation of the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by continuing to close Rashid Street and preventing the return of displaced civilians from the south to the north,” the terrorist organization said in a statement. “We hold the occupation responsible for any disruption in the implementation of the agreement and its repercussions on the rest of the stations.
Hamas has announced that Yehoud’s release is planned for next Saturday.
However, Israeli officials have approached intermediaries and the United States, demanding that Hamas adhere to the ceasefire agreement, which they accuse the group of violating.
Contrary to Arab media reports, Israel has not received any video regarding Arbel Yehoud, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Yehoud, who was taken alongside her boyfriend Ariel Cunio from Kibbutz Nir Oz, remains in captivity despite the recent release of four female Israeli soldiers. The omission of civilian hostages like Yehoud has led to accusations of bad faith on Hamas’s part.
An Israeli official told Post, “We knew they would try to play games, but from our perspective, this is a violation – even if it stems from internal issues within Hamas in Gaza. It makes no difference to us.”
Restrictions until release
Israel has made it clear that residents of northern Gaza will not be allowed to return to their homes until Yehoud is released.
The government has also emphasized that the full list of hostages and their status, whether dead or alive, must be published by midnight, warning that failure to do so will constitute “another violation” of the agreement.
While Hamas claims the delay is due to internal disputes within Gaza, Israeli officials are pushing for her release to occur earlier, potentially within the week. If such an agreement is reached, restrictions on northern Gaza could be lifted sooner.
Yehoud’s family has expressed mixed emotions, celebrating the recent release of other hostages while anxiously awaiting news of her return. For now, efforts continue, with diplomatic channels remaining focused on ensuring that Hamas fulfills its commitments.