An Israeli police spokesperson stated that police arrested two more Palestinians early on Saturday who were among the six prisoners that escaped from a high-security Israeli prison last week. The two men were found hiding in a truck parking area in an Arab village east of Nazareth, where two others were arrested just hours earlier. Following the arrest of the four, Israeli police are conducting a large-scale manhunt on Saturday to capture the remaining two.
The six, consisting of five members of the Islamic Jihad movement and one member of Fatah, escaped early Monday after digging a tunnel that began with a hole next to the toilet in their cell. Their escape sparked celebrations among Palestinians and embarrassed Israel. Footage distributed by Israeli police showed officers leading the two men, blindfolded and handcuffed, to a police vehicle while the hunt for the other two prisoners continues.
One of those arrested on Saturday morning is Zakaria Zbeidi, a former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades affiliated with Fatah in Jenin, West Bank, who had previously been granted Israeli amnesty. Israel re-arrested Zbeidi in 2019 after allegations of his involvement in new attacks. Palestinians have participated in demonstrations in support of the six prisoners throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem, viewing them as heroes of the national struggle. Palestinian factions have stated that their arrest will have repercussions. Activists in the Gaza Strip launched a rocket towards Israel, prompting Israel to carry out airstrikes on the coastal enclave. The six are either convicted or suspected of planning or carrying out deadly attacks against Israelis.
