Official statements from the Israeli government, Hamas, or verified news reports

Israel Halts Palestinians' Return Over Hostage Delay; Hamas Says Yehud Alive

Jan 25, 2025, 10:54 AM

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Palestinians will not be allowed to return to northern Gaza until the release of civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be freed today as per the ceasefire agreement. Earlier, Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers but failed to release Yehud, whom Israel says is a civilian, not a soldier. Hamas informed mediators that Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for holding Yehud, falsely identifying her as a soldier. Israel is requesting proof that Yehud is alive and regards the delay in her release as a breach of the ceasefire agreement, which included the scheduled return of over one million displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza on the seventh day. As a result, Israel is withholding the movement of Palestinians back to the northern part of the Strip.