The Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video of Israeli hostage Arbel Yahud. The terrorists had agreed to free him on Thursday in exchange for opening the Netzarim Corridor.
Hamas has finally met its obligation to Israel to provide a list of hostages who are scheduled to be freed under the current ceasefire.
According to Israeli intelligence, 18 of the remaining 26 hostages are alive and eight are dead. Hamas has yet to specify whether the hostages are still alive or dead.
Seven living hostages have been released so far as part of an agreement that began on Jan. 19,
On Monday evening, the clip of Yehud appeared on the Telegram page of Saraya al-Quds (PIJ’s armed wing).
In the video, which hasn’t been shared by Israeli media outlets following a request by her family, Yehud introduces herself and says the video was taken last Saturday. “My family, I’m OK. I miss you endlessly and I hope to return to you soon, like the girls who had been released,” Yehud said.
She then addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. She asked them to “do all they can” to continue the ceasefire so that the hostages could return “healthy, safely, and in peace” and for the Palestinian prisoners to return to their homes.
Israeli media outlets, throughout the war, have largely avoided sharing propaganda videos released by Hamas or PIJ to avoid taking part in their psychological attack against Israel.
Yehud should have been released along with the last group of hostages. The ceasefire stipulated civilians be released first, before IDF soldiers. Hamas still released four female soldiers on Saturday.
On Sunday night, the Israeli government announced that it had reached a deal with Hamas for Yehud, IDF soldier Agam Berker, and a male hostage who has not been identified to be released on Thursday before the next set of planned releases scheduled for the weekend.
Israel specifically requested the release of Yehud in anticipation of difficulties arising from her detention by the PIJ.
Media reports claim that a local PIJ chapter refused to release the woman, despite instructions from PIJ leadership in other countries.
PIJ also reportedly classified Yehud incorrectly at first, as a soldier. They then demanded that more Palestinian prisoners be released in exchange for her.
