The Office of Prime Minister Shaar Netanyahu confirmed late Sunday that Arbel Yehud, along with two other hostages, would be freed this week, irrespective of the upcoming scheduled phase of hostage releases set for Shabbos.
“Following intense and resolute negotiations spearheaded by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Hamas has relented and agreed to another phase of hostages being released this Thursday,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office explained.
“As part of this phase, Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and another individual will be freed. Furthermore, three additional hostages will be released on Saturday as per the agreement.”
“Additionally, Israel has received from Hamas a list showing the conditions of all the hostages that will be released in phase A. As part of this arrangement, Israel will permit, beginning tomorrow, the movement of Gazans to the northern region of the Gaza Strip,” the statement further noted.
“The Prime Minister emphasizes that Israel will not tolerate any breach of this agreement. We remain committed to bringing all of our hostages home, both the living and those who have passed,” it concluded.
Earlier, Qatar had revealed that Yehud and two other hostages would be released before Friday in exchange for the opening of the Netzarim Corridor.
A spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Hamas had pledged to disclose the number of hostages to be freed in the first phase of the deal. An Israeli diplomatic source verified the arrangement.
Israel had previously refused to open the Netzarim Corridor due to Hamas violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement. An official from the Islamic Jihad terror group mentioned that an arrangement had been made to release Yehud ahead of the planned Saturday hostage release.
Prior to this, another source informed Al Jazeera, “We anticipate a breakthrough tonight (Monday) regarding Arbel Yehud’s release. The mediators are working to resolve the crisis, which could lead to Yehud’s release before Saturday.”
An I24News report cited a Hamas source who claimed the Islamic Jihad delayed Yehud’s release after its leader, Ziyad al-Nakhaleh, unexpectedly insisted that Yehud had a security background, demanding a higher price for her freedom, in the form of terrorists serving life sentences.
According to the report, Hamas and the mediators believe this shift in stance resulted from Iranian interference, likely pressuring al-Nakhaleh to impose new conditions.
In related developments, thousands of Gaza residents have attempted over the past day to move northward through the Netzarim Corridor, which the IDF has kept closed until an arrangement is made for Yehud’s release. Yehud had been scheduled for release as part of the broader hostage agreement yesterday.
Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, Gaza residents were meant to return to the northern part of Gaza by Shabbos. Israeli officials decided to keep the Netzarim Corridor closed, as Yehud had not been released.
A diplomatic source commented on the situation, stating, “Prime Minister Netanyahu is resolute in not allowing Gazans to move north via Netzarim until the issue of Arbel Yehud’s release has been addressed.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
What about Ariel and Kfir Bibas and their mother Shiri – their condition is known?
Much better than on Shabes .
Much better than on Shabes