The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist organization has released a video of German-Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud held in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Monday.
In the video, the young woman assures her family that she is doing well and will return home “like the other women,” the Times of Israel newspaper reported. Yehud’s release has been announced for Thursday as part of a new ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war.
Palestinian extremist group Hamas had previously released videos of hostages that were apparently made under duress, which Israel denounces as psychological warfare.
A total of 33 hostages are to be exchanged for 1,904 Palestinians during the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is initially set to last for six weeks. So far, Hamas has released seven young women, who were exchanged for around 290 imprisoned Palestinians.
Yehud, a civilian, should have been released on Saturday. However, Hamas released four young female soldiers instead, prompting Israel to delay the promised return of Gaza residents to the north of the coastal strip.
Hamas has since announced Yehud’s imminent release. In response, Israel allowed people to return to the north on Monday.
Yehud, 29, was abducted along with her boyfriend from their home in the Israeli kibbutz of Nir Oz during the devastating October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel carried out by Hamas and other militants from the Gaza Strip.
Her brother, who also lived in the community near the Gaza Strip, was killed during the terrorist attack.
Palestinians, displaced to the south on Israeli orders during the war, walk along Salah al-Din Road to return to their homes in northern Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
Palestinians, displaced to the south on Israeli orders during the war, walk along Salah al-Din Road to return to their homes in northern Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
