The future of the ceasefire may now hinge on what happens with one specific hostage: 29-year-old Arbel Yehud. 

Israel said Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement by not releasing Yehud, a civilian woman, before it freed the female soldiers. As a result it has said it will not allow Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza until Yehud’s release is arranged.

It remains unclear why Yehud has not been freed. It was initially thought that she was held by Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant group in Gaza. But Islamic Jihad works closely with Hamas and some of its hostages were freed in the last ceasefire deal.

Yehud was kidnapped from Nir Oz along with her boyfriend Ariel Cunio, who is also still in captivity. Her older brother, Dolev, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas terror attacks on Israel. 

Four Israeli soldiers, all women, have now crossed into Israel marking an emotional end to 476 days in captivity. All four of them were part of the surveillance united at the Nahal Oz military base when they were taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Daniela Gilboa, a 20-year-old from Petah Tikva, is a passionate musician according to the Hostage Families Forum. She texted her mother, “pray for me,” before being captured. Her sister later identified her in footage by her ponytail and pyjamas.

Naama Levy, who turned 20 in captivity, is a keen triathlete from Raanana. Her mother, Ayelet, said she volunteered at a nursery school for refugee children before the attack.

Karina Ariev, 20, from Jerusalem, is a lover of music, writing, and makeup. She called her sister amidst gunfire. Later footage showed her bloodied and bound in a Jeep.

Liri Albag, a 19-year-old from Moshav Yarhi, is an aspiring interior designer and architect. Her mother, Shira, described life since her abduction as living in a “shadow.”

IDF’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the militant group “has not kept all its promises regarding its commitment to return the Israeli civilians first,” adding Israel will advocate for the return of Arbel Yehud and others.

“We insist on abiding by the commitments under the agreement and the return of the civilians first,” he said in a post on X.

Israel has accused Hamas of not keeping its end of the deal by releasing the female soldiers first, rather than the two remaining civilians, with the Prime Minister's office saying the IDF will not allow Gazans to return to north of the strip.

"Israel will not allow the passage of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip -- until the release of the citizen Arbel Yehud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged," it said in a statement.

Hamas, which has not said why Yehud was not released, may see Israel's blockade of northern Gaza as a breach of the agreement.

The Israeli military said the four hostages have arrived at their reception point in southern Israel "where they are being reunited with their parents."

"IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostages, and they will undergo an initial medical assessment," it said in a statement.

Gaza's Hamas-run Interior Ministry said it has completed preparations to allow displaced Palestinians to return to the north of the enclave from the south starting today. 

Palestinians being allowed to return to their neighborhoods in northern Gaza is one of the conditions of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that went into effect late last week.

"We congratulate the expected return of the displaced to their homes and residential areas, and we confirm that the Ministry of Interior’s apparatuses will be at their service," the ministry said in a statement that outlined the routes that have been opened for Palestinians returning by foot and vehicle.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has thanked President Trump in a statement it released shortly after four female Israeli soldiers were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City this morning.

"We extend our deepest gratitude to President Trump, whose instrumental efforts made this deal possible," the forum said.

The statement celebrates the release of Karina Arif, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Elbag, with the four hostages having been held in captivity by Hamas for 477 days.

It adds that "their return today represents a moment of light in the darkness, a moment of hope and triumph of spirit, while serving as a painful reminder of the urgency to bring back the 90 hostages still in Gaza." 

Tense scenes were met with celebration in Tel Aviv this morning as four Israeli hostages were released by Hamas and handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City.

The Israeli military said the four hostages have been transferred to its forces in the Gaza Strip, adding that they will be accompanied by Israel Defense Forces special forces on their return to Israel.

The hostages will then undergo an initial medical assessment, the IDF said.