Israel has said it will block the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza until captive Arbel Yehud is released, AFP reports.
“Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the northern part of the Gaza Strip until the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, “Hamas did not comply with the agreement on its obligation to return civilian females first.”
Two Hamas sources told AFP that Yehud was “alive and in good health”.
A Hamas source told AFP that she will be “released as part of the third swap set for next Saturday (February 1)”.