From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Released hostage Arbel Yehoud: Military pressure ‘only kills’ captives
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Released hostage Arbel Yehoud addresses the crowd at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square during the daylong protest being held as part of the nationwide strike opposing the government’s decision to expand the war in Gaza rather than negotiate a deal to return the remaining hostages.
“I know firsthand what it’s like to be in captivity. I know that military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back — it only kills them. The only way to bring them back is through a deal, all at once, without games,” she says.
Yehoud describes the suffocating conditions underground, “without water, without air, without the ability to breathe,” and says that today’s strike cannot remain a one-time event.
“We need to stop normal life again and again until those in captivity return. You’ve seen the photos, the videos, the horrors. How much longer will you continue to close your eyes? There is only one way to bring them all back: a deal now,” she adds.
Yehoud spent 482 days in captivity before being released in January during the most recent ceasefire deal. Her partner, Ariel Cunio, remains a hostage along with his brother David Cunio and 48 others.
Yehoud is accompanied by David’s wife, released hostage Sharon Aloni-Cunio, who was freed in November 2023 with their two daughters, Yuli and Emma; and by Eitan Cunio, brother of Ariel and David; and Yarden Bibas, David’s best friend.
Bibas was released from captivity in January. His wife Shiri and their children Ariel, 4, and baby Kfir, were also taken hostage, then murdered in captivity in Gaza.
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