Israel won’t let Palestinians return to north Gaza until Hamas arranges release of female civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, PM’s office says
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Israel will not allow Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip until Hamas arranges the release of female civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says.
“Israel has received four female hostage soldiers from the Hamas terrorist group today, and in return will release security prisoners” according to the deal, the PMO says.
“In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip, until the arrangement of the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today,” the statement adds. Yehud is thought to be held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group.
The announcement also means that the IDF will not be withdrawing from part of the Netzarim Corridor.
Under the deal, Israel was supposed to withdraw from the northern half of the corridor today, day seven of the ceasefire, to allow Palestinians to return to north Gaza via the coastal road.
According to Israel, Hamas violated the deal by releasing female hostage soldiers before all of the living civilian women captives.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced its punitive decision soon after four hostage female soldiers — Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy — were freed by Hamas in Gaza. The decision was reportedly taken during security consultations held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night, soon after Hamas had released the names of the four female soldiers it was freeing, but announced after the releases so as not to jeopardize them.