Israel announced that the dispute over the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages has been resolved, and the terrorist group is set to release six hostages in two batches this week, including civilian hostage Arbel Yehud and soldier Agam Berger.
The fate of Yehud became the main stumbling block in the implementation of the deal. Israel was preventing Palestinians from returning to the northern part of Gaza because Hamas was supposed to release civilian women first but violated the agreement. Arbel Yehud is held by the Palestinian "Islamic Jihad," which reportedly falsely labeled her as a soldier and demanded the release of other Palestinian prisoners in exchange for her. On Sunday evening, the public broadcaster "Kan" reported that the terrorist group agreed to classify her as a civilian, which helped resolve the crisis. On Sunday, Hamas gave assurances that Yehud is alive, safe, and will soon be released.
Arbel Yehud from Kibbutz Nir Oz was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, along with her boyfriend Ariel Kunio. He is not included in the list of 33, and his fate is unknown. David, Ariel's brother, was also kidnapped, while his wife Sharon Aloni-Kunio and their two daughters Emma and Yuli were released in the first deal in November 2023.
After resolving these issues, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that from Monday morning, the military will allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Gaza residents to return to the northern sector through the Netzarim corridor.
This week, an additional three hostages will be released. Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and another man (likely Keith Segal, who holds US citizenship) will return to Israel on January 30, and two days later, another three men.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners—30 for civilians, and for soldier Berger—50, including 30 terrorists serving life sentences.
Jerusalem also reported that Hamas finally sent a list with detailed conditions for the release of the remaining hostages as part of the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19. The data provided by Hamas is confirmed by intelligence services: of the 33 hostages declared for release in the first phase of the deal, 25 are alive, seven of whom have already returned home. At this stage, the release of another 18 hostages is expected, as well as the transfer of the bodies of eight deceased to Israel.
Photo: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP