Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reached an agreement to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehuda next Friday, 24 hours before the scheduled release of the third batch of hostages on Saturday.

Yehuda will be freed in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinians serving life sentences and the return of displaced individuals to northern Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation continues to prevent the displaced from returning north on the Netzarim axis, contradicting the “ceasefire agreement” announced last Sunday, and requires the release of Yehuda for their return.