US pushing for hostage Arbel Yehud’s release ‘through negotiation channels’ — White House spokesperson

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Arbel Yehoud was taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Nir Oz (Courtesy)
Arbel Yehoud was taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Nir Oz (Courtesy)

“We are continuing to push for Arbel Yehud’s release through negotiation channels,” a White House national security spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.

Israel had been demanding her release this weekend, as she is a female civilian who was supposed to be released before female soldiers, according to the deal’s terms.

A variety of technical reasons have been cited for Hamas’s failure to release Yehud, who is held by an allied Gazan terror group, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Hamas officials said earlier today that she is alive and will be released next weekend.

Israel has barred Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, which it was supposed to start allowing today, in consequence of the Hamas violation.

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