Four Israeli Women Were Freed from Hamas, But Civilian Arbel Yehud Should Have Been Among Them

Hamas is again playing games with signed agreements: on Saturday (Jan. 25), the terrorist organization was to release three female IDF soldiers and one female civilian captive, in exchange for the release of 180 terrorists incarcerated in Israel.

Instead, the terrorists released four female IDF soldiers who served as border observers: Karina Ariyev, Naama Levy, Liri Elbag and Daniela Gilboa.

Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old Israeli female civilian kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023 during the Hamas invasion and massacre in southern Israel, was not freed, in violation of the agreement.

“In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip until the release of Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released, is arranged,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

“Israel is delaying further steps until Arbel Yehud is proven alive.”

Hamas is claiming Arbel will be among the three hostages to be freed next week.

Here’s why Hamas is already playing games with the agreement: 50 convicted terrorists are released by Israel in exchange for every IDF soldier freed from captivity. Hamas receives “only” 30 convicted terrorists for each civilian freed.

Hamas is clearly attempting to maximize the number of terrorists – including many serving life sentences – earlier rather than later.

It’s entirely possible the terrorist organization is already planning to violate the agreement, as it has in the past every single time a deal was made.

In November 2023, Hamas breached an eight-day hostage release / temporary ceasefire agreement after the seventh day, withholding the 10 hostages that were to be freed on the final day and instead resuming its war against Israel.

A total of 90 people kidnapped from Israel are still being held in Gaza, including 35 whose deaths have been determined by the IDF.