“Our life’s mission to bring Arbel back to us has succeeded, and we are overwhelmed with emotion,” Arbel Yehoud’s family said after she was freed Thursday following nearly 500 days of captivity.
The family also spoke about Arbel’s brother Dolev, killed on October 7, saying that “ahead of us lies another journey of family rehabilitation. We are a bereaved family, still aching and missing our Dolev.”
“Our hearts are with all the families who paid the heaviest price and with all those who gave of themselves and suffered physical and emotional injuries,” the family added.
They also thanked everyone who made Arbel’s release possible.
'Our mission is not yet complete'
“Our Arbel has been returned. However, our mission is not yet complete. Ariel [Cunio], Arbel’s partner, is still held captive in Gaza, so are his brother David [Cunio], their good friend Sasha [Troufanov], the other hostages from Nir Oz, and all our loved ones. We will not rest until all hostages are released.”
A professional dancer for many years, Arbel has a number of different hobbies, including skateboarding around the kibbutz and horseback riding, which she was inspired to pursue by her father, Yechi.
She also loves cleaning and organizing, including even in other people’s homes, according to an Instagram page dedicated to advocating for Arbel. She and her boyfriend adopted a kitten together and named him Dude.
Arbel is part of the third generation of her family to live in Kibbutz Nir Oz. She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, two of whom were born after her abduction and are waiting to meet her for the first time.
Arbel, who is now 29, was taken captive from her home on the kibbutz on October 7. She was held in captivity by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).