After more than 480 days in captivity, Arbel Yehoud (29) from Kibbutz Nir-Oz will finally return home. Yet this moment of overwhelming joy is tempered by an impossible reality – her partner Ariel Cunio (27), kidnapped alongside her, will remain in Hamas captivity with his brother, David Cunio. As one of the young male hostages, Ariel is not included in part A of the current release deal. His fate, along with other men, hinges on the uncertain implementation of part B.
Their story is deeply rooted in kibbutz Nir Oz, where they both grew up in well-known families. "They've known each other since they were born," Arbel's brother Neta previously shared. Though Arbel briefly left the kibbutz, her return several years ago sparked a romance with Ariel that would define their lives. Over seven years, they became inseparable. Just before Oct. 7, they fulfilled their dream of traveling together through South and Central America.
The Instagram page dedicated to Arbel's release captures their love story through countless photographs – the young couple walking kibbutz paths, Arbel embracing Ariel as he kisses her, peaceful moments asleep on their couch, and snapshots from their travels. One poignant caption reads: "Tu B'Av evening ["Jewish Valentine's Day"] and my thoughts are with this beautiful couple who were kidnapped together to Gaza. So many shared dreams and plans that were halted."
The kidnapping on Oct. 7
The unthinkable happened when Arbel and her partner of five years, Ariel, were taken from their safe room in Nir Oz. Their newly adopted dog was killed by Hamas terrorists. Arbel's brother Neta Yehoud (32) later described the family's anguish: "We're going through hell, Oct. 7 hasn't ended for us, we have no day or night, no rest day or weekday, time stands still." Earlier this week, reports emerged of Israel's demand for her immediate release.
Arbel's case became a pivotal point in hostage negotiations. Israel insisted on her inclusion in the second phase, aligned with the agreement to prioritize young civilian women. When Hamas released four female IDF observers instead, Israel took a firm stance, conditioning the movement of Gaza civilians northward on Arbel's release. This pressure proved effective – images of thousands of Gazans unable to return home led to a revised agreement. Instead of waiting another week, Israel will receive six living hostages, with Arbel being released on Thursday. Her family's response was emotional: "We are in complex, emotional, and nerve-wracking days. We long for the moment when we can hug our Arbel again, and plead for the return of all hostages."
The family tragedy
The Yehoud family's roots run deep in kibbutz Nir Oz, established by Arbel's grandparents. For months, they believed both Arbel and her eldest brother Dolev (35) were in captivity, while Dolev's pregnant wife Sigi sheltered with their three children Raz, Yotam, and Ron. Though Sigi gave birth to their daughter Dor shortly after Oct. 7, hope turned to devastation on June 3, 2024, when Dolev's body was discovered in Nir Oz following an intensive search by the IDF's Missing Persons Unit. Now Arbel must face not only the joy of freedom but also the crushing news of her brother's death. Her family shared she maintains a passionate interest in space exploration and astronomy, reflecting her enduring love for both humanity and nature.
