Israel announced that it would postpone allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza after Hamas breached the ceasefire-hostage agreement by failing to release civilian hostage Arbel Yehud. The decision followed Hamas’s release of four female soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, who had been held captive for 477 days, even though the terms of the deal required that all civilian women be freed before soldiers.
A representative from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is believed to be holding Yehud, told Al Jazeera that the 28-year-old civilian is actually considered a soldier and would be freed in accordance with the agreement.
Following the release of the four soldiers, the office of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a statement noting that Hamas had violated the terms of the agreement, which called for the inclusion of Yehud in today’s releases. As a result, Israel would halt the movement of Palestinians returning to northern Gaza. “Israel has received four female hostage soldiers from the Hamas terrorist group today, and in return will release security prisoners” as outlined in the agreement, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed.
However, the statement added, “In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip until the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, can be arranged.” This decision was made after security discussions held by Netanyahu on Friday evening, immediately following Hamas’s announcement of the names of the four released soldiers. The announcement was timed to avoid jeopardizing the release of those hostages.
This delay also meant that the IDF would not proceed with its planned withdrawal from part of the Netzarim Corridor on Sunday, a key area that divides Gaza from east to west and separates the southern region from the northern one. According to the Walla news site, Israel reportedly asked the U.S. government to urge Qatar and Egypt to put pressure on Hamas to release Yehud.
A White House national security spokesperson confirmed the U.S. was continuing efforts to secure Yehud’s release, stating, “We are continuing to push for Arbel Yehud’s release through negotiation channels.”
Earlier this week, Israel had communicated to Hamas that it expected Yehud, who is believed to be held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to be released over the weekend. Yehud was also listed for release in a previous ceasefire agreement in November 2023, but the deal collapsed before her release could take place.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari addressed the breach in a televised statement on Shabbos, criticizing Hamas for releasing the four soldiers before fulfilling its obligation to free the civilian women. “Hamas did not abide by its obligation in the deal to free civilian women first,” he said. Hagari assured that Israel would ensure Yehud’s release, expressing concern over her fate, as well as for Shiri Bibas and her children, who are also awaiting release. He added, “We have heavy concerns for their fate.”
Hagari also indicated that Israel expected further updates on the Bibas family’s situation soon. Shiri Bibas remains the only other female civilian hostage still to be freed out of 33 people on the first phase of the release deal.
{Matzav.com Israel}
