Video Released of Arbel Yehud; She Confirms She is a Hostage of 'Islamic Jihad'

On Monday, February 8, the Jerusalem Post reported that it had obtained a video of Arbel Yehud, a female Israeli civilian hostage, in which she confirmed that she is being held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. According to the Israeli newspaper's report, Arbel Yehud, in a video likely recorded on Saturday, January 25, expressed her longing for her family and her desire to see them. She also stated that she is currently in the captivity of the Islamic Jihad group and appealed to Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, saying: 'I ask you to do everything you can to ensure that the ceasefire continues as planned and that all hostages return home safely, and that all Palestinian prisoners can be released and return home safely.' This video was released after news confirmed that Arbel Yehud, along with Agam Berger and another male hostage, would be freed next Thursday. Reports indicate that the hostages' association has requested that the media refrain from publicly releasing this video until the family of Arbel gives permission. Hebrew media reported on Wednesday, February 3, that Israel asked Hamas to include Arbel Yehud in the list of four hostages to be released this coming Saturday. However, Hamas has refused to release this 29-year-old woman, who was kidnapped on October 7 with her boyfriend, Ariel Kounio, from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. At that time, Jerusalem announced that it believed this civilian hostage was being held by the terrorist group Islamic Jihad, not Hamas, which has led Hamas to avoid releasing her. Following this refusal, Israel also announced that it would not allow Palestinian refugees to return to northern Gaza. This decision changed with the announcement of Arbel's release, and on Monday, Israel allowed residents of Gaza to enter the north. The return of three hundred thousand Palestinians to northern Gaza was permitted by Israel. The Israeli President expressed gratitude to Donald Trump and his representative in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Qatar announced an agreement for the release of three Hamas hostages and the return of refugees to northern Gaza. Islamic Jihad stated that it would release the Israeli female civilian hostage. Trump remarked that Gaza is a 'ruin,' urging Arab countries to accept the Palestinians.