Jerusalem [Israel], February 2: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Zakaria Zubeidi, a high-profile Palestinian terrorist released on Thursday, after being part of a deal for the release of Israeli hostages.
Katz tweeted, “Zakariah Zubeidi, you were released in an agreement for the release of Israeli hostages – one mistake and you’re going to meet old friends. We will not accept support for terrorism.”
Zubeidi was among the 110 terrorists released on Thursday in exchange for Israeli hostages Gadi Moses, Arbel Yehud, and Agam Berger. At 49 years old, Zubeidi was the commander of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Jenin and was involved in numerous terrorist activities, including the 2002 attack on a Likud polling center in Beit Shean, where six people were killed. He also claimed responsibility for a deadly 2004 bombing in Tel Aviv.
Zubeidi gained attention for briefly escaping from Gilboa prison in 2021 before being recaptured. He is viewed as a hero among many Palestinians due to surviving multiple Israeli assassination attempts during the Second Intifada.
The Gilad Shalit exchange in 2011 saw the release of 1,027 terrorists, many of whom, including Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, returned to terror. According to reports from Ronen Bar, head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), 82% of the Shalit prisoners returned to terrorism.
The first phase of the ceasefire aims to free 33 Israeli hostages over six weeks in exchange for Palestinian terrorists, though the remaining hostages’ fate will depend on further negotiations set to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.