"Islamic Jihad" responded to Israel about the fate of the hostage in Gaza

The Palestinian radical movement Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group confirmed their intention to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud in the near future. This was reported by Al Arabiya on January 26, citing sources among the militants.

"Arbel Yehud is expected to be released before the next exchange (of hostages and prisoners) scheduled for February 1," the group's representatives said.

Earlier, Israel publicly accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement because the organization did not release Yehud as part of the Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu's office said it would not allow Gazans to enter the northern part of the Strip until the release of the civilian hostage was arranged.

"The release of Arbel Yehud is likely to take place closer to next Friday in exchange for 30 [Palestinian] prisoners serving life sentences," another Palestinian source familiar with the situation reported.

Israel accused Hamas of failing to honor hostage release commitments

On Jan. 26, media reports said Hamas plans to release three more hostages - an American and two women - next week. Previously, the wife of 65-year-old U.S. citizen Siegel was also taken hostage; she was released in November 2023.

On January 19, the Red Cross handed over the three freed hostages to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. The transfer of the three girls was confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Theceasefire in the Gaza Strip began in the morning of January 19, as agreed by both sides and mediators. The Israeli government approved the agreement with the Palestinian movement Hamas on January 17 after a six-hour meeting.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected the territory of Israel to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.