Israel said on Saturday that it will not allow the Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until Hamas free to Arbel Yehoud, one of the dozens of hostages in captivity. Confirming the Israeli position, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Yehoud was supposed to be released on Saturday, as part of the Gaza Fire Fire Agreement. In particular, Hamas launched four Israeli soldiers, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev, who crossed the Israeli territory with the IDF and Isa forces.
In exchange for the release of their soldiers for Hamas, 200 prisoners were supposed to release, which included 121 prisoners who fulfilled life imprisonment, according to a list published by Hamas. The list also indicates that 70 would be expelled from Gaza and the West Bank, but did not specify where. Some of the most notorious militants that are being launched include Mohammad Odeh, 52, and Wael Qassim, 54, both from East Jerusalem.
They were accused of carrying out a series of Hamas mortal attacks against the Israelis, including a bombing in a cafeteria at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2002 that killed nine people, including five US citizens.
Previously, Israel’s army spokesman, Admiral Daniel Hagari, in a televised statement, confirmed that the released hostages were in Israeli hands and on their way home. He also criticized what he called the “cynical” public exhibition of the young women of Hamas before his release.
In particular, the four captive Israeli soldiers were delivered to the Red Cross in the city of Gaza after they paraded in front of a crowd.
He also added that Israel is still concerned about the fate of the two youngest hostages, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, and their mother Shiri. Kfir Bibas scored his second birthday in captivity earlier this month.