A senior source within the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ) has stated that they are currently holding a female hostage whose release has been demanded by the Israeli government. The Israeli government has been adamant that the 29-year-old individual, Arbel Yehud, is a civilian and should have been released as per the terms of a ceasefire-hostages deal.
The PIJ source, located inside Gaza, has alleged that Yehud is actually a trained soldier in the Israeli army's space program and is being held captive by the PIJ's military wing, al-Quds Brigades. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
The source further mentioned that Yehud will be released in accordance with an agreed-upon prisoner exchange deal and held the Israeli government responsible for any hindrance to the terms of the agreement. Another PIJ source outside Gaza confirmed that Yehud is alive.
Unlike the four female Israeli soldiers who were released on Saturday, Yehud was not captured at a military base but was taken hostage from her residence in Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with other civilians from the community.
