Israel will not allow Gaza residents to return to the northern enclave, as the Palestinian Hamas movement violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement by not releasing civilian hostage Arbel Yehud and by not handing over lists of the living and dead hostages, the Israeli Office of relations with the families of the hostages said.
“During yesterday’s phase, Hamas committed two violations of the agreement: Arbel Yehud has not yet been released, and a list of the current status of the first phase hostages has not yet been provided. In this regard, a decision has been made to prevent the movement of Gaza residents to the northern part of the Strip,” said a statement by Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The Office added that significant efforts are being made, with the mediation of the United States and other mediators, to resolve the issue of Arbel Yehud’s release.
“It was expected that Hamas would create difficulties and continue to use psychological manipulation in the implementation of the agreement,” the department emphasized.
Hamas released the second group of hostages yesterday as part of the implementation of the agreement with Israel that began a week ago. In exchange for four female Israeli soldiers, 200 Palestinian prisoners, including those sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism, were released from prison.
