“Israel Frees 110 Palestinian Prisoners in Exchange for Hostages, Including Key Figures Like Zakaria Zubeidi”

Israel has released 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This marks the third round of exchanges since the temporary truce began, with the deal also including the release of five Thai workers under a separate agreement with Thailand.

Among the prisoners freed, several had been incarcerated for years, with some playing major roles in past militant activities. One of the most prominent names in the exchange is Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade. Zubeidi, once a key figure in armed resistance, later shifted towards political activism and cultural resistance, co-founding the Freedom Theatre in Jenin. He gained widespread attention in 2021 for his dramatic prison escape, but his re-arrest saw him facing serious charges, which he denied. Upon his release, reports indicated he was weak and malnourished.

Another high-profile prisoner was Mohammed Abu Warda, a Hamas militant who was sentenced to 48 life terms for his involvement in multiple suicide bombings that killed over 40 people and injured hundreds during the Second Intifada. Abu Warda was instrumental in recruiting attackers, including members of his own family.

Mohammed Aradeh, a senior member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was also freed. Like Zubeidi, Aradeh was part of the daring 2021 prison escape, which shocked Israeli security forces. He was originally convicted for planting explosives and attempting murder.

Also included in the release were Mohammed Odeh, Wael Qassim, and Wissam Abbasi, three Hamas operatives from East Jerusalem. They were behind deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv pool hall that killed 15 people and an attack at Hebrew University that left nine dead, including five American students. These men were exiled to Egypt, with their families expected to join them.

The Abu Hamid brothers—Nasser, Mohammad, and Sharif—were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in militant attacks in 2002. Their family has a deep history of resistance, with one brother, Nasser Abu Hamid, co-founding the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade before dying in Israeli custody in 2022. The released brothers were also sent to Egypt.

Among the longest-held prisoners freed was Mohammad al-Tous, who spent 39 years in Israeli custody. Arrested in 1985 for his involvement in cross-border attacks from Jordan, he was one of several detainees exiled as part of the deal.

The exchange comes as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions, secure hostage releases, and facilitate negotiations between the parties involved. The temporary ceasefire has allowed for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, but the long-term impact of these exchanges remains uncertain as both sides continue to weigh their next moves.