Zakaria Zubeidi, once a notorious militant leader in the West Bank, is set for release as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas. His past includes multiple arrests for violent actions, including deadly attacks during the second Intifada. The current prisoner release involves a range of individuals linked to various Palestinian factions, raising controversy reminiscent of past exchanges. This situation highlights ongoing tensions and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Rise and Fall of Zakaria Zubeidi
Once regarded as one of the most notorious figures in the West Bank, Zakaria Zubeidi’s journey began in his teenage years when he faced multiple arrests for his involvement in throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces. His radicalization took a significant turn during the second Intifada, leading him to join the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the militant faction of the Fatah party. Zubeidi quickly ascended to a leadership position, earning the moniker “King of Jenin,” a region known for its militant Palestinian activity.
In front of reporters, Zubeidi recounted his orchestrations of various attacks, including a deadly incident in Beit Shean in 2002 that resulted in the deaths of six Israelis and injuries to thirty others. His notoriety grew further following an assassination in Tel Aviv in 2004 that claimed a woman’s life. Following four attempts on his life by Israeli forces, Zubeidi was granted amnesty in 2007, yet he returned to his old ways. His final arrest occurred in 2019, resulting in a multi-year prison sentence in Israel.
Upcoming Releases Amid Controversy
At the age of 49, Zubeidi is poised for release in a recent agreement between Israel and Hamas, as indicated by a list of 734 inmates published by the Israeli Ministry of Justice. His name stands out prominently, but many other prisoners are included in this release slated for the coming weeks.
The list contains detailed information about each Palestinian prisoner, including their sentences, crimes, and affiliations with various Palestinian factions. Of the prisoners, around 300 are linked to Hamas, while approximately 260 are associated with Fatah and likely share ties with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, like Zubeidi. Additionally, about 60 members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) are included, all of whom have been involved in violence against Israelis.
Many on this list, described in Israel as having “blood on their hands,” have committed severe acts of violence, with 284 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment. Among them is Mahmud Abu Varda, who faces 48 life sentences for a bombing in Jerusalem that killed 45 people. The PIJ leader, Tabet Mardawi, sentenced to 21 life terms for participating in attacks that resulted in numerous casualties, is also expected to be released.
These concessions from Israel have stirred criticism, echoing the past case of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas and released in exchange for over a thousand Palestinian prisoners, including Yahya Sinwar, a key figure in the recent violence.
Currently, 90 of the listed Palestinians are already free. Following the release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas, 69 women and 21 minors were able to exit Ofer prison in the West Bank. Their return was met with enthusiastic celebrations among Palestinians in Ramallah, many of whom carried flags of both Palestine and Hamas.
Among those already released is Khalida Jarrar, a prominent political figure who has faced multiple imprisonments. After serving two years for “membership in a terrorist group,” she was re-arrested post-October 7, 2023, and placed in administrative detention, a controversial practice that allows for indefinite detention without formal charges. Currently, around 3,400 Palestinians face similar circumstances.
The Israeli military has been known to arrest individuals for minor offenses, exemplified by 24-year-old Shatha Jarabaa, who was detained for a social media post criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Her case illustrates the extent of measures taken against dissent. As the ceasefire progresses, approximately 2,000 additional Palestinians may also be released, including 1,200 from the Gaza Strip who were detained since the conflict escalated. The stipulation for their release is that they did not participate in the events of October 7th.