Two Gilboa prison escapees included in prisoner exchange deal
Hebrew sources confirmed that Zakaria Zubeidi and Mohammad Al-Arda, two of those who dug a tunnel to break from Gilboa prison in 2021, will be part of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal.
'Israeli' Ministry of Justice released a list of 735 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the first stage, set to begin Sunday at 4:00 PM. However, senior Palestinian detainees like Marwan Barghouti will not be included in this phase, though efforts are underway to secure their release in later stages.
The prisoners' lawyer, Khaled Mahajneh, clarified that only Zakaria Zubeidi and Mohammed Al-Arda will be released. Contrary to reports from Hebrew sources, Mahmoud Al-Arda and Ayham Kamamji are not among those included in the release.
Zakaria Zubeidi
Born in Jenin refugee camp in 1976, Zubeidi is a prominent figure of the Second Intifada and a former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Jenin. Despite receiving amnesty in 2007, 'Israeli' forces revoked it in 2011 and re-arrested him in 2019.
Mohammad Al-Arda
Mohammed Qassem Ahmed Al-Arda, a 41-year-old prisoner from Arraba, south of Jenin, marked the beginning of his 22nd year in 'Israeli' prisons on Sunday.
Al-Arda was arrested by 'Israeli' forces on May 14, 2002, and sentenced to three life terms plus an additional 20 years.
On Sept. 6, 2021, Al-Arda, along with fellow prisoners Ayham Kamamji, Mahmoud Al-Arda, Munadel Infaiat, Yaqoub Qadri, and Zakaria Zubeidi, famously escaped from Gilboa Prison through a tunnel they dug. However, 'Israeli' forces recaptured them days later.
Following their recapture, an 'Israeli' court sentenced Al-Arda and his fellow escapees to an additional five years in prison.
Gilboa Prison Break
On Sept. 6, 2021, six Palestinian prisoners escaped high-security Gilboa prison via a tunnel they dug beneath their cell. The operation became a symbol of Palestinian resistance and a significant embarrassment for 'Israeli' authorities.
