Captivity survivor Arbel Yehud, who was released in the second hostage deal in January 2025, spoke today (Tuesday) with Esti Perez Ben Ami on the Be' channel about her fight for the return of the hostages and for the return of her partner, Ariel Cuneo.
""From the moment I returned, I have been grateful and grateful every day for having the opportunity to be protected. But I am in a state of emotional turmoil. From the moment I crossed the border into the country, I made the decision to join the fight to return the kidnapped," Arbel said.
Arbel's brother, Dolev Yehud, was murdered on October 7 and was considered abducted until June 2024, when his body was found in Israeli territory.
Arbel said that she heard the news of his death in captivity. "I made a decision that I cannot mourn him alone in captivity. I am still very afraid to touch it, because I know that it could weaken me and distract me from the fight to return the kidnapped.".
Arbel said that she watched a few seconds of the latest released videos of the kidnapped, of Eviatar David and Rom Breslavsky: "This is something everyone should see, with the families' permission. For me personally, it was difficult to watch. I thought about Ariel and David and all the other kidnapped people. These are very moving days.".
The condition of Ariel, Arbel's partner, is unknown to her. "He looked at me when we were kidnapped and told me, 'Our lives have been ruined.' The memories of him are with me all the time. I imagine the moment of our meeting every night, imagine the embrace with the bad guys.
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""I no longer trust the state and I no longer feel safe," said Arbel. "I was in captivity when other hostages were rescued. The night of Luis and Fernando's rescue was the worst night there. I said goodbye to my life. I sat next to them with weapons pointed at my body.
""I want to address MK Boaz Bismuth directly and remind you that you told my father that if your children were kidnapped, you would burn the building down. I am here to remind the Knesset members that deals are what bring hostages back alive. I want to accompany my Ariel to the wedding, not to the grave. I want all decision-makers, all Knesset members, and all elected officials who sit in that building to think about my words when they go to sleep at night, and that this is also what will be before their eyes during the day.".
She added: "It was always important to me to maintain hope, even in my very dark moments. The moment I lost it, it was all over. I couldn't imagine a situation where I wouldn't hug my father again.".
Arbel Yehud, 29, was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and held captive by Islamic Jihad for 482 days. 50 abductees are being held captive in Gaza, including Arbel's partner, Ariel Cuneo, who was kidnapped with her and his brother, David Cuneo.
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