Hamas Announces Release of Four Female Israeli Soldiers, Raising Questions About Fate of Civilian Hostage
In a surprise move, Hamas has announced plans to release four female Israeli soldiers on Saturday, as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The soldiers, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were abducted during the October 7 attack.
The announcement was made by Hamas officials, who confirmed that the four soldiers would be released as part of the exchange deal. However, the news has been met with concern and uncertainty about the fate of Arbel Yehoud, a female civilian who is still being held in Gaza.
Israeli Officials Express Concern
Israeli officials had expected Yehoud’s release, but she was not included in the list of those to be freed. The Israeli government has been working tirelessly to secure the release of all its citizens held in Gaza, and Yehoud’s exclusion from the deal has raised questions about her fate.
“We are relieved that four of our soldiers will be returning home, but we are deeply concerned about the fate of Arbel Yehoud,” said an Israeli official. “We will continue to work towards her release and will not rest until all our citizens are safely back home.”
Ceasefire Deal Brokered by Qatar and Egypt
The exchange is part of a larger deal, where Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, aims to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza, which has been ongoing for over 15 months.
The deal has been hailed as a significant step towards peace, but the exclusion of Yehoud from the exchange has raised concerns about the fate of other hostages still being held in Gaza.
International Community Calls for Release of All Hostages
The international community has called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza, including Yehoud. The United Nations has expressed concern about the fate of civilians caught up in the conflict and has called for their immediate release.
As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of Arbel Yehoud remains uncertain. The international community will be watching closely to see if Hamas will release her and other hostages still being held in Gaza.
