Janice R. Andrews
Tel Aviv, January 25, 2025 — Israel has announced a suspension in the repatriation of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza following a breach of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the declaration on Saturday night after Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers who had been held captive for 477 days. However, the release did not include civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, whose liberation was a crucial part of the agreement.
The released soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were returned to Israel under the terms of the deal, which required the release of all living civilian women before any soldiers. Arbel Yehud, a civilian abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, was expected to be among those freed. Hamas, however, criticized Israel for delays in fulfilling the agreement but did not mention Yehud in its statement.
Mediators, including Qatar, have described the weekend’s negotiations as successful despite the controversy surrounding Yehud’s non-release. “Israel has received four female hostage soldiers from the Hamas terrorist group today, and in return will release security prisoners,” the statement read. “However, in accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip until the release of civilian Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be freed today, can be arranged.”
The decision to delay the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza was reportedly made during late-night security meetings on Friday, shortly after Hamas revealed the names of the soldiers it intended to release. Israeli officials chose to postpone the announcement until after the hostages were freed to avoid jeopardizing the negotiation process.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari accused Hamas of violating the agreement by prioritizing the release of soldiers over civilian women. “Hamas did not abide by its obligation in the deal to free civilian women first,” Hagari stated in a televised address.
Hamas has reportedly informed mediators that Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday. However, no official statement from Hamas has clarified the reasons for the delay, and Israel remains cautious, demanding proof of life or guarantees regarding Yehud’s status before moving forward with further negotiations.
The postponement also affects the planned withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from a section of the Netzarim Corridor, a nine-kilometer route that splits Gaza into northern and southern regions. The IDF was scheduled to begin withdrawing from the corridor on Sunday. Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic spokesperson, tweeted a warning to Palestinians not to approach the corridor. “The instructions will remain in effect until new instructions are issued with the transition to the next stage of the agreement and after Hamas has committed to its commitments,” Adraee tweeted.
Yehud’s family shared mixed emotions following the developments. “Our hearts filled with joy at the return of Karina, Daniella, Liri, and Naama,” the family stated. “We are waiting and expecting that the moment we can hug our Arbel will come as soon as possible.”
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement aims to secure the release of a total of 33 Israeli hostages over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The exact number of hostages to be released will depend on their survival status. On Sunday, Israelis celebrated the return of Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen, and Emily Damari, marking significant progress in the negotiations.
However, the fate of the remaining 65 hostages will be determined by negotiations set to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire. Critics argue that the phased approach condemns hostages not freed in the initial stages to prolonged captivity, potentially undermining Israel’s strategic gains in the conflict.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of 252 Israelis and foreigners. Among the 90 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead, intensifying the urgency and complexity of the ongoing negotiations.
The international community continues to closely monitor the situation, with various countries and organizations urging both sides to adhere to the ceasefire terms and prioritize the safe return of all hostages. The involvement of mediators like Qatar highlights the delicate balance required to navigate the fragile truce and address the humanitarian concerns on both sides.
As Israel faces the challenges posed by Hamas’s actions and the critical issue of hostages, the broader implications for the region’s stability and future peace efforts remain uncertain. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether the ceasefire can hold and pave the way for a more lasting resolution to the conflict.
