Hamas formally says hostage Arbel Yehud is alive, it ‘gave all necessary guarantees’ for her release

Hamas in an official statement says it has informed mediators that Israeli civilian hostage Arbel Yehud is alive “and gave all the necessary guarantees for her release.”

Israel has said it will not allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza until Yehud’s release is arranged, after she was supposed to have been freed over the weekend.

Hamas says it is discussing with the mediators Israel’s refusal to allow Palestinians to return to north Gaza, saying Israel’s actions “constitute a violation and breach of the ceasefire agreement.”

“The occupation (Israel) is stalling under the pretext of captive Arbel Yehud, even though the movement informed mediators that she is alive and gave all the necessary guarantees for her release,” the terror group says.

Hamas says it holds Israel “responsible for obstructing the implementation of the agreement,” and is working with the mediators to “reach a solution that leads to the return of the displaced” to northern Gaza.