Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, the former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Research Division, shared his insights about Hamas’s failure to release Israeli citizen Arbel Yehoud as part of the latest hostage exchange agreement. He also discussed the broader impact of this situation in an interview with Maariv on Sunday.
“It’s hard to know what caused Hamas to violate the agreed terms, but they will clearly pay a price for it,” Kuperwasser commented. “From what I understand, they likely faced technical difficulties in reaching Arbel Yehoud. I hope Israel’s response will push Hamas to take more significant actions to secure her release.”
Kuperwasser stressed the importance of holding Hamas accountable, saying, “Every time Hamas breaches the terms of the deal, we must ensure they pay a price for it.”
When asked about Hamas’s motivations, Kuperwasser explained: “Hamas has an interest in at least completing the first phase of the deal, but they will also want to move to the second phase if it strengthens their hold on power and prevents their collapse as a movement. Hamas may take steps to appear as if they are relinquishing civilian control over Gaza, but this will not be a genuine concession. They will demand guarantees against attacks following the deal’s completion.”
Kuperwasser concluded by emphasizing Hamas’s primary concern: “Hamas’s main focus is its own survival; nothing else matters to them. While they prioritize prisoner releases, Gaza’s reconstruction, and humanitarian aid, maintaining their rule is their foremost concern.”
Arbel Yehoud was supposed to be released on Saturday as part of the ongoing hostage ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, Hamas failed to follow through with her release, instead freeing four observation soldiers: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy.
Under the terms of the hostage agreement, Israeli female civilians, such as Yehoud, were supposed to be freed before soldiers.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement, saying, “Israel today received four female soldiers kidnapped from the Hamas terrorist organization, and in exchange, will release security prisoners according to the agreed-upon deal. In accordance with the agreement, Israel will not allow Gazans to cross into the northern Gaza Strip – until the release of civilian Arbel Yehoud, who was supposed to be released today, is arranged.”
The PMO’s statement echoed earlier comments by IDF Spokesman R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari, who said, “Hamas failed to meet its obligations to release Israeli female civilian hostages first as part of the agreement.”
“We remain steadfast in our determination to bring home Arbel Yehoud, as well as Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Kfir and Ariel, whose well-being is of utmost concern,” Hagari added.
{Matzav.com Israel}