Statement from former hostage Arbel Yehoud calling for the release of all hostages immediately.
“I was held for 482 days without seeing or hearing any Israeli, from the moment I was separated from my partner Ariel (Cunio) three hours after being kidnapped until I met Gadi (Mozes).
You can imagine some of the horrors I endured during captivity, which you all witnessed on the day of my release. Despite this, I returned with a focused mission: to save my beloved Ariel, his brother David, and the remaining hostages, while simultaneously beginning my own long rehabilitation process.
On the evening of my release from hospital, I told my father: ‘Dad, don’t let go. I need Ariel in order to recover.’
And Dad replied: ‘I never thought otherwise.’ From you, I demand the same as my father – don’t think otherwise. Bring everyone back in one move – both the living and the dead.
Don’t frighten people with questions of cost; instead, frighten yourselves – perhaps that will lead you to better protect the country’s citizens in the future.”
