According to a report by The Jerusalem Post on February 15, 2026, released hostage Arbel Yehoud told The Daily Mail that she was sexually assaulted in captivity.
Yehoud refrained from sharing explicit details of the abuse but described it as so severe and repeated that it drove her to attempt suicide. “I was sexually assaulted almost every single day in captivity. I tried to end my life three times,” she said. “I felt like I couldn’t go on. There were moments when I thought it was the only way out.”
Despite the trauma, Yehoud found strength in her love for her partner, former hostage Ariel Cunio, and the public protests at Hostages Square. Seeing the crowds, she recognized signs representing herself, Cunio, and other familiar faces from Nir Oz. “From the moment I saw that, I didn’t try to end my life on my own there,” she told N12 in a separate interview on Friday.
Yehoud and Cunio began dating in 2018. Five years later, on October 7, they were kidnapped from their home in Nir Oz by terrorists and taken into Gaza, where they were separated. The ordeal left a profound mark on both of them, as they endured months of uncertainty and fear while held captive.
Throughout her captivity, Yehoud’s resilience was continuously tested, but the connection to her partner and the visible support from her community gave her a reason to survive.
Her story has since drawn international attention, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers civilians face in conflict zones and the long-lasting impact of trauma.
Yehoud and Cunio’s ordeal also emphasizes the importance of community solidarity and public awareness in supporting survivors of captivity and abuse.
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