Hamas: Israeli captive Yehud is alive

GAZA, Jan. 26 9(YPA) -Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem revealed Saturday evening that the movement sent a message through mediators confirming that Israeli captive Arbel Yehud is alive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu violated one of the ceasefire agreement’s conditions, which stipulated the return of displaced people from central and southern Gaza to northern Gaza. Netanyahu’s office demanded that Arbel Yehud be released before allowing residents of Gaza to return to the north.

Hamas had earlier accused Israel of stalling in fulfilling the terms of the ceasefire agreement and the prisoner exchange.

“The occupation continues to stall in implementing the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by continuing to close Rashid Street and preventing displaced people from returning on foot from the south to the north,” the group said in a statement.

“We hold Israel fully responsible for any delays in the implementation of the agreement and the consequences this may have on subsequent stages.”

Qassem also emphasized, “We wanted the people to be involved in the process of releasing the female captives because they are the ones who achieved this victory.”

An Islamic Jihad source confirmed that Arbel Yehud is held by the Al-Quds Brigades as a military prisoner.

“Arbel Yehud is a servicewoman who was trained as part of the Israeli military space program,” the source said.

The Israeli hostage “will be released in accordance with the agreed terms of the exchange,” the source added.

Earlier on Saturday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over four Israeli female prisoners to the Red Cross in Palestine Square in central Gaza City.

@E.Y.M