During her time in captivity, Yehoud learned Arabic and formed a bond with a baby boy she cared for, often thinking of her own family.

Yehoud was eventually released in January 2025 as part of a negotiated truce that included the exchange of approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

Upon her emotional return, she walked through a crowd of supporters, expressing her determination to wait for her fellow captive, Ariel Cunio, until he is safely home.

In an interview, she recounted how her captors, affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, threatened her life, stating they would shoot her if the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attempted a rescue.

Yehoud described a particularly harrowing night on February 12, 2024, when she heard a nearby rescue operation, filled with flares and bombings, while knowing her life was at risk.

Throughout her captivity, she became a notable figure in Gaza, appearing in propaganda videos and referred to as 'the soldier Arbel Yehoud' in Arabic media, suggesting her captors were preparing for her release.

Arbel Yehoud was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz during a massive Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and left 251 hostages, deeply impacting her community.

Tragically, her brother Dolev was killed in the same assault, with his remains identified in June 2024; Yehoud expressed that she could not grieve his loss until all hostages were returned.

During her nearly 500 days in captivity, Yehoud endured significant physical and emotional hardships, including isolation, fear, and a lack of basic hygiene, compounded by the presence of mice and extreme weather.