AN Israeli woman who was kidnapped with her boyfriend from her home during the October 7 bloodbath is set to be the next hostage released by Hamas.
Arbel Yehud, 29, could be in the next batch of captives set to return home on Saturday as Israel ramps up pressure on the terror group.
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Yehud was abducted alongside her boyfriend, Ariel Cunio, from their Kibbutz Nir Oz home during Hamas’s October 7 horror attacks that left over 1,200 people dead.
Her brother, Dolev Yehud, was killed by the terrorists while defending the kibbutz and his remains were identified last June.
Jerusalem now insists Yehud be among the four female hostages expected to be freed under the ongoing ceasefire deal.
She is one of only seven of the 33 female captives who were initially scheduled to be freed as part of the hostage ceasefire agreement.
The others are Danielle Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, Agam Berger, 21, Liri Albag, 19, Shiri Silberman Bibas, 33, and Naama Levy, 20.
But Yehud’s fate is complicated by reports that she is being held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not Hamas, says The Times of Israel.
This has raised fears that her release, expected Saturday, could face delays.
Hamas is due to deliver the list of hostages scheduled for release on Friday.
The ceasefire deal, brokered last week, has already seen the return of three hostages — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher — in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
For each civilian hostage freed, Israel has released 30 prisoners, including convicted terrorists.
The next phase will see four hostages returned, with further exchanges planned weekly for at least six weeks.
As Israel pushes for answers, the international community is closely watching the unfolding negotiations, which remain fraught with tension.
Over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, and the prospect of further polarization looms.
Emily Damari was one of the first three Israeli hostages released in phase one of the ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli-Brit lost two fingers after being shot by Hamas during the October 7 attack on her kibbutz, Kfar Aza, where she was ambushed.
Her long-awaited release comes as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds after months of relentless warfare.
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The truce was nearly derailed in the final hours of negotiations, but hostages were exchanged as part of the deal, marking the first step toward a tenuous pause in hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear this ceasefire is temporary, emphasising: “We are committed to dismantling Hamas and bringing every hostage home.”
The reunion of the hostages with their families in southern Israel was a moment of raw emotion.
But before escaping terror hell, Emily, Romi and Doron were handed Hamas “gift bags” containing haunting mementos of their captivity.
The bags reportedly included photos of the women during their imprisonment and a so-called “certificate” – acting as a grim reminder of their 15-month nightmare in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a Hamas leader has said he wants to meet with new President Donald Trump amid fears that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza won’t last.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The senior terror chief revealed just hours after the pause in fighting kicked in that the militant group was ready to open a dialogue with the US.
In a rare departure from its stance on Israel’s closest ally, Qatar-based Mousa Abu Marzouk told The New York Times: “We’re prepared for a dialogue with America and achieving understandings on everything.”
Meanwhile Trump, 78, said he is “not confident” that the ceasefire in war-torn Gaza will hold, over a year into Hamas’ war with Israel.
Speaking to the press after his historic inauguration, Trump said: “That’s not our war, it’s their war. But I’m not confident.”
Who are the first three freed hostages?
by Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter
AFTER 471 harrowing days in captivity, three Israeli women have returned home as part of the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
The first phase of the agreement saw the release of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, who were emotionally reunited with their families in Israel on Sunday, January 19.
Romi Gonen, 24
A passionate dancer and choreographer, Romi was abducted while fleeing the Nova music festival in the Negev Desert, where Hamas terrorists killed over 360 people during the October 7 onslaught.
Originally from Kfar Veradim in northern Israel, Romi had called her mother moments before her capture, describing the chaos as gunfire and shouting surrounded her.
Her family kept her room untouched, waiting for her return with her dad breaking down in tears of joy upon his daughter’s release on Sunday.
Doron Steinbrecher, 31
A veterinary nurse, Doron was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza near Gaza’s border on October 7.
The kibbutz was a major target, with homes burned and civilians killed or abducted.
Doron hid under her bed as militants stormed her home but was captured after sending desperate WhatsApp messages to family.
In her final message, she could be heard screaming, “they’ve caught me”.
For months, her family had no word of her whereabouts.
Upon her release, her family said: “After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms.
“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey.”
Emily Damari, 28
A British-Israeli dual citizen, Emily was shot in the hand and kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
Her dog was tragically killed during the assault.
Emily’s mother, Mandy, who hid in a nearby safe room, received one final message from her daughter — a single heart emoji.
Emily was reunited with her mother in Israel, where they hugged while video-calling her brother.
Her mother expressed gratitude for international efforts to bring Emily home, highlighting her daughter’s strong ties to the UK, her love for Tottenham Hotspur, and frequent visits to see relatives.
The women’s release marks the beginning of a six-week process to free 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiations are ongoing to secure the return of over 65 individuals still held in Gaza.
