Israel had insisted that hostage Arbel Yehoud be released this week.
This is because she is a woman, a civilian and alive, so therefore should be in the top category of hostages freed in this first phase of the ceasefire.
However Hamas, without giving a reason, didn’t release her.
It’s suspected she could be being held by Islamic Jihad, another militant group in Gaza.
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But by releasing four IDF soldiers, as Hamas did today, they secured the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, including many high-profile detainees.
This is many more prisoners than if Hamas had released civilians.
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It’s possible the group is wary of the ceasefire’s fragility and so wants as many Palestinians released now in case the deal collapses in the coming weeks.
Read more:
Prisoners and hostages released as part of ceasefire deal
Who are the hostages who haven’t returned home?
Revealed: The Hamas-backed plan for Gaza’s future
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Israel has responded by refusing to allow Gazans to return to the north of the Strip, as was part of the ceasefire agreement, until the issue is resolved.
Hamas swiftly released a statement saying that Abel Yehoud is alive and will be freed next Saturday.
It has presented another test for this rocky truce.
