The militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza says it will free Israeli civilian hostage Arbel Yehud before the next planned swap where Israel is to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for Hamas returning Israeli hostages. According to the terms of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, Arbel Yehud should have been handed over by Hamas this past Saturday. Hamas, however, delayed the release over what they called technical reasons. Israel has blocked tens of thousands of Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza, and says their return is conditional on Yehud's release.

DW speaks to journalist Balig Sladeen