NNA - Israel announced that it will prevent the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza until the civilian hostage Erbil Yehud is released, according to Agence France-Presse.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement, "Israel will not allow Gaza residents to cross into the northern part of the Gaza Strip until the release of civilian hostage Erbil Yehud, who was supposed to be released today (Saturday), as arranged."

Hamas sources later said that Yehud was "alive and in good health."

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