As part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Zakaria Zubeidi, a past president of a Palestinian militant group, was released on Thursday.
The 49-year-old was once a popular captain of the al-Aqsa Martyrs ‘ Brigades. He had been imprisoned for organizing problems that claimed the lives of many Israelis.
‘ The dark mouse ‘
Zubeidi avoided Jewish security forces for decades, gaining a reputation for avoiding problems. Due to his alleged ability to avoid being captured, Israeli officials reportedly referred to him as” The Black Rat.” He agreed to a peace treaty with the Palestinian Authority ( PA ), which made him eligible for Israeli custody and required his surrender of weapons.
In 2011, Israel revoked his parole for unknown reasons. Eight years later, he was detained for his alleged role in numerous shootings that occurred close to Ramallah, Israel’s Beit El arrangement.
First life
Zubeidi was born in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. His family was a young child when the Israeli-Palestinian fight broke out. He spent a year in an Israeli jail before being released at the age of 14; he spent the first year there in 1989. He was detained once more for allegedly kicking Jewish causes with rocks and Molotov cocktails a year later.
By the early 2000s, when the Next Intifada began, Zubeidi had become a major head in Fatah’s military aircraft. He led the al-Aqsa Martyrs ‘ Brigades in Jenin, organising strikes against Israelis. During this period, his mother was killed in an Israeli assault on Jenin’s immigrant station.
Prison avoid
In 2021, Zubeidi and five additional captives escaped from Israel’s high-security Gilboa Prison by digging a hole. They were caught within weeks after their breakthrough caused a massive hunt. The exit drew widespread interest among Palestinians.
Living besides extremism
Beyond violence, Zubeidi was involved in theater. As a child, he participated in Arna’s House, a community theater in Jenin founded by Jewish advocate Arna Mer-Khamis. After the Israeli forces destroyed the theater in 2002, Zubeidi was able to return to the Freedom Theatre, where he was active until the 2007 parole.
Another high-profile prisoners to become released
Another high-profile prisoners are also set to become freed in the Israel-Hamas prisoner offer. Mahmoud Atallah, who is currently serving a life sentence for killing a Israeli woman accused of working with Israel, may be deported to Nablus. Ahmed Barghouti, a top Gaza martial figure convicted of attacks that killed 12 Israelis, may become deported via Egypt.
According to various press reviews, 110 captives will be released. The Times of Israel says that 33 are serving life sentences for dangerous problems, 47 have lengthy prison term, and the remaining 30 are people and minors.
