Kidnapping of Arbel Yehoud

Arbel Yehoud
Yehoud at the White House in 2025
Born (1995-06-21) June 21, 1995
Israel
PartnerAriel Cunio

Arbel Yehoud is an Israeli woman who was abducted in 2023 during the October 7 attacks as part of the Nir Oz Attack by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.[1]

Yehoud was expected to be released on either January 19, 2025 or January 25, 2025 as part of the January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire.[2] However, after Yehoud had not been released by January 25, Israel delayed allowing Palestinians to return north through the Netzarim Corridor.[3] This event was described as the first major 'crisis' or 'complication' of the ceasefire, and was resolved after international mediators guaranteed that Yehoud would be released on January 30, 2025.[3][4] On January 30, 2025, Yehoud was released after 482 days in Palestinian Islamic Jihad captivity.[1] The release was described as "chaotic" by both CNN and AP News, as Yehoud was led through crowds before being handed over to the Red Cross.[1][5] She was the last living female Israeli hostage released.[1]

After her release, Yehoud advocated for the return of the remaining hostages, including her partner, Ariel Cunio.[6] Cunio was later released as part of the Gaza Peace Plan.[7]

Early life

Arbel Yehoud was born on June 21, 1995 to Yael Yehoud and Yechiel Yehoud.[8][9] She had two older brothers, Dolev and Neta, and was a third-generation resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, with her grandparents being among its founders.[9][2][10] Yehoud was a professional dancer for many years.[11] She originally worked in her kibbutz's education system before she began working as a guide at GrooveTech.[12][2] Yehoud began dating Ariel Cunio five years before their abduction, and the pair had returned from a vacation to South America shortly before October 7, 2023.[12]

Abduction

On October 7, 2023, Yehoud was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside her boyfriend, Ariel Cunio.[13] The couple's recently adopted dog, Murph, was killed in the attack.[10] Yehoud and Cunio were separated while entering Gaza.[9] Separate from their abduction, Cunio's brother, David Cunio, sister-in-law, Sharon Cunio, and two nieces, Emma and Yuli Cunio, were also taken hostage by Hamas.[14] Yehoud's brother, Dolev Yehoud, was also initially believed to be taken hostage, until his remains were identified in June 2024.[15]

In May 2025, one of Yehoud's abductors and captors, Ahmad Kamel Saran, was killed in an IDF operation.[16]

Captivity

Yehoud was held in the captivity by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.[13] She was held alone and barefoot for the entirety of her captivity.[17][9] Throughout her captivity, she was held in several different homes and was reported to have been held in difficult conditions, been fed little food, and to have been suffering from malnutrition.[9] In the first months of Yehoud's captivity, her and Cunio were able to maintain a correspondence through intermediaries, but this correspondence was terminated after several months.[18] Yehoud learned Arabic early on in her captivity and thought that international divisions in Israel over a hostage deal was psychological terrorism from her captors.[19] Yehoud expected to be released during the 2023 Gaza war ceasefire, but felt "abandoned" after she remained in captivity.[13][20] Yehoud was among the hostages who were fast-tracked for German citizenship in order to help assist in their release.[21] She officially received her German passport after her release from captivity.[22]

During the 2024 Rafah hostage raid, Yehoud, who was held in an area close to the raid, was held at gunpoint by her captors.[13] Yehoud reported that when relatives of her captors were wounded by the Israeli military, she was severely beaten and placed in solitary confinement for several days.[23] While in captivity, she learned that her brother, Dolev, had been killed on October 7th.[13]

Towards the end of Yehoud's captivity, she became aware of the magnitude of hostage crisis after her captors permitted her to watch Al Jazeera.[24] In a February 2026 interview, Yehoud said she was sexually abused throughout her captivity and had attempted suicide on three occasions during her captivity.[18][25]

Under the terms of the January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire, Yehoud was expected to be released on either January 19 or 25.[2] After the release of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher on January 19, Israel told Hamas of its expectation for Yehoud to be among the four hostages released on January 25.[26] However, after Yehoud was not among the four hostage released on January 25, Israel postponed allowing Palestinians to return north through the Netzarim Corridor, which prevented hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza.[3] This event was considered by many news outlets to be the first significant crisis of the ceasefire.[3][4] After mediation from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, this postponement was removed after a deal was reached for Yehoud, Agam Berger, and a third hostage to be released on January 30, allowing tens of thousands of Palestinians to return north.[27][28][5] On January 27, the PIJ released a video of Yehoud in captivity.[29]

Release

On January 30, 2025, Yehoud was released in Khan Younis alongside hostages Gadi Moses, Surasak Lamnau, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Tanna, Bannawat Saethao, and Watchara Sriaoun.[1] Yehoud was the last living female hostage released from Gaza, as the other remaining female hostage, Agam Berger, had been released earlier in the day.[1] Their release took place at the ruins of the house of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and the hostages were led through a crowd of thousands before being handed over to the Red Cross.[1] As a result, Israel delayed the release of 110 Palestinian detainees until guarantees were made that such a release ceremony would not be held again.[1]

Post-release activities

Upon her release, Yehoud was taken to Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan.[30] Less than a week after her release, she was discharged from the hospital and moved into Nir Oz's temporary community in Kiryat Gat.[31][13] Yehoud and Cunio's former home in Nir Oz was demolished in January 2026.[32]

Yehoud made multiple public appearances following her release. In May 2025, she addressed the Knesset, encouraging members of the government to end the war.[23] She also spoke at multiple Israeli Hostage Deal Protests at Hostages Square, advocating for a direct deal to release the hostages rather than relying on military pressure.[33][34][35] On the second anniversary of the October 7th attacks, Yehoud gave a speech at the Kennedy Center, calling for world leaders to bring home the remaining hostages.[36] For her advocacy, Yehoud was named as one of the 18 recipients of Chochmat Nashim's Women of Iron Award in 2025.[37]

Yehoud has criticized the Israeli government since her release.[24] She declined to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz,[24] was among the 22 hostages who signed a letter pushing for a state commission of inquiry for October 7th,[38] and, along with other former hostages, signed a letter demanding the resignation of Gal Hirsch after Hirsch claimed that protests in favor of a hostage deal aided Hamas.[39]

Ariel Cunio was released on October 13, 2025 as part of the Gaza peace plan.[7] Cunio and Yehoud, along with Cunio's brother David Cunio, sister-in-law, Sharon Cunio, and nieces Emma and Yuli Cunio, were among the 26 hostages who met with President Donald Trump at the White House in November 2025.[40] Yehoud and Cunio raised $4,000,000 shekels through a crowdfunding campaign within 24 hours of their interview by Channel 12 airing, while a previous fundraising campaign for Yehoud had raised 700,000 shekels.[41]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Krever, Mick (2025-01-30). "Chaotic scenes at Gaza hostage release bring condemnation from Israeli leaders". CNN. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  2. ^ a b c d "Who Is Arbel Yehud, the Israeli Hostage at the Center of the Dispute?". 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  3. ^ a b c d "Here's what happens next during the ceasefire in Gaza". AP News. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  4. ^ a b "Qatar says deal is in place to release Israeli hostage and allow Palestinians into northern Gaza". NBC News. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  5. ^ a b Shurafa, Wafaa; Jahjouh, Mohammad; Debre, Isabel (2025-01-30). "Israelis and Palestinians rejoice after more hostages and prisoners are freed". AP News. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  6. ^ Reiss, Johnatan; Aviv, Aaron BoxermanJohnatan Reiss reported from Tel; Jerusalem, Aaron Boxerman from (2025-08-17). "Israelis Join Nationwide Rallies to Call for Release of Hostages". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  7. ^ a b "Argentinian-Israeli Gaza hostage Ariel Cunio to return home". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-10-12. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  8. ^ Botbol, Amelie (2024-06-23). "Family, supporters mark hostage Naama Levy's 20th birthday". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  9. ^ a b c d e "'Being a Woman Alone Is Different': Arbel Yehoud Recounts Gaza Captivity, Fear as Fighting Raged Nearby". Haaretz. April 29, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, and Gadi Moses to be released". 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  11. ^ "German-Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud released by Hamas in ceasefire deal". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-01-18. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  12. ^ a b "Arbel and Judith, women hostages in Gaza limbo". France 24. 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Staff, ToI (2025-04-29). "Former hostage Arbel Yehoud says captors threatened to kill her if IDF approached". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  14. ^ Staff, ToI (2023-11-27). "Sharon Aloni Cunio, twins Yuli and Emma, 3, freed; father David still in Gaza". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  15. ^ Staff, ToI (2024-01-22). "Palestinian Islamic Jihad captive Arbel Yehoud released after 482 days in Gaza". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  16. ^ Lutski, Noa (2025-05-19). "Report: Gaza commander killed in Israeli raid was behind October 7 kidnapping". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  17. ^ Gordon, Lihi (2025-07-30). "'I was hoping he didn't see me go': Former hostage Arbel Yehoud speaks of captivity and fear for those still in Gaza". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  18. ^ a b ynet (2026-02-14). "Freed hostage Arbel Yehoud breaks silence: 'I tried to end it three times'". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  19. ^ Staff, ToI (2025-02-10). "Released hostage Arbel Yehoud condemns politicization of captives' plight". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  20. ^ Peleg, Bar (July 30, 2025). "'I Don't Understand What We're Fighting For': Freed Hostage Arbel Yehoud Slams Israel's Prolonged War in Gaza". Haaretz. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  21. ^ Karmel, Ariela (2025-08-06). "Since Oct. 7, Berlin has quietly fast-tracked citizenship for hostages and their families". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  22. ^ "Arbel Yehoud receives German citizenship after 482 as Hamas hostage". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-03-28. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  23. ^ a b Staff, ToI (2025-05-19). "'Blood will be on your hands': Former hostage urges MKs to end war, return captives". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  24. ^ a b c "Arbel Yehoud speaks about her time in captivity in N12 interview". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-07-20. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  25. ^ Staff, ToI (2026-02-14). "Ex-hostage reveals she tried to kill herself in Gaza, says view of protests saved her". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  26. ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Staff, ToI (2025-01-23). "Israel said to tell Hamas it expects Arbel Yehoud to be among next freed hostages". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  27. ^ "Qatar says deal reached to release an Israeli hostage and allow Palestinians into northern Gaza". POLITICO. 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  28. ^ Cooney, Christy; Lowe, Yohannes; Quinn, Ben; Livingstone, Helen; Lowe, Christy Cooney (now); Yohannes; Livingstone (earlier), Helen (2025-01-27). "Middle East: Tens of thousands of Palestinians begin journey home to devastated northern Gaza – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-12-11.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Agencies; Staff, ToI (2025-01-27). "Islamic Jihad releases propaganda video with sign of life from hostage Arbel Yehoud". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  30. ^ Rasgon, Adam; Boxerman, Aaron; Beech, Hannah; Suhartono, Muktita; Reiss, Johnatan; Joseph, Yonette (January 30, 2025). "Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners After Chaotic Hostage Handover". New York Times. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  31. ^ שאולוב, רוני גרין; שאולוב, רוני גרין (2025-02-05). "ארבל יהוד שוחררה מבית החולים, משפחתה: "ניאבק להשבת כל החטופים"". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  32. ^ Steinberg, Jessica (2026-02-15). "Former hostage couple dreams of space (travel) and time to recover and rebuild their home". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  33. ^ Reiss, Johnatan; Aviv, Aaron BoxermanJohnatan Reiss reported from Tel; Jerusalem, Aaron Boxerman from (2025-08-17). "Israelis Join Nationwide Rallies to Call for Release of Hostages". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  34. ^ Tondo, Lorenzo (2025-05-28). "Families of hostages stage protests on 600th day of Israel-Gaza war". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  35. ^ Karmel, Ariela; Summers, Charlie; Freiberg, Nava (2025-08-17). "'We want them back': Israelis strike and protest in call for hostage deal, end of war". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  36. ^ Gordon, Lihi (2025-10-07). "'Every day feels like eternity': Freed hostage pleads in Washington for loved ones still held in Gaza". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  37. ^ Altshul, Sharon (2025-12-26). "Women of Iron: Leadership forged in aftermath of Oct. 7". JNS.org. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
  38. ^ "800 Days After October 7 22 Freed Hostages and Families Urge Netanyahu to Appoint State Commission of Inquiry". Haaretz. December 14, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  39. ^ Steinberg, Jessica (2026-02-02). "Full text of letter from ex-hostages and relatives demanding Gal Hirsch resign". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  40. ^ Eichner, Itamar; Gordon, Lihi (2025-11-20). "'Not hostages anymore—you are heroes': Trump hosts 26 freed hostages at White House". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  41. ^ "$1.3 Million in 24 Hours: Released Hostages Meet Crowdfunding Goal With Thousands Contributing". Haaretz. February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
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