Two Palestinian sources told AFP on Sunday that hostage Arbel Yehud, whose release Israel demanded the day before, should return home within the week in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners, before the next exchange scheduled for Saturday. An official of Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas in Gaza, assured that she “would be released before the next exchange agreement”. Another source close to the matter, also on condition of anonymity, indicated that “the crisis (had) been resolved” and she would be free “probably Friday”.
Another source close to the matter, also on condition of anonymity, indicated that “the crisis had been resolved” and that the young woman, already described as in good health, would be free “probably Friday”. The Israeli Prime Minister's office, questioned by AFP, did not immediately comment. The truce agreement, which entered into force last Sunday, provides for the release during the first six weeks of 33 hostages – women as well as men aged over 50 or in poor physical condition – in exchange for the release of 1,900 detainees Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
Seven young women have already been released, including four soldiers on Saturday, while Arbel Yehud, 29, kidnapped with her companion from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz (south), is still held captive in Gaza. On Sunday morning, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office accused the Palestinian Islamist movement of two violations of the agreement. He argued that Arbel Yehud, a civilian hostage, had not “not been released” Saturday when it was considered a priority, and the “status list” hostages – dead or alive – had not “not been submitted” as he demanded.
-Israel has decided in return to prevent the return of tens of thousands of displaced people to the north of the Gaza Strip devastated by the war, as long as these questions are not resolved. Hamas itself accused Israel of being responsible for the blockade.
