Six Palestinian prisoners escaped from Israel’s Gilboa prison

Six high-security Palestinian prisoners have escaped Israel’s Gilboa prison. The prison was situated near the Sea of Galilee. However, the five of the inmates are suspected Palestinian Islamic Jihad members and have been convicted in connection to fatal attacks. 

The sixth prisoner is suspected to be named Zakaria Zubeidi, who is a high-profile commander in Fatah’s military wing who was formerly on Israel’s most-wanted list. Zubeidi is said to be responsible for numerous deadly shootings and bombings all across the globe. 

It was disclosed that the group of six prisoners fled through a tunnel to escape, and their breakout was reported by a farmer in the area. Belonging to the Militant Group of Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, the prisoner's escape was said to be "heroic" by their fellow group members and that it will "shock the Israeli defense system’.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum referred to the escape similarly, saying it shows “that the struggle for freedom with the occupier is continuous and extended, inside prisons. and outside to extract this right.” It is also believed that fugitives might try to reach the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule or the Jordanian border around 14km to the east to be united with their group and then plan for their next deadly move. Following their escape, the heavy celebratory fire was reported in Jenin, a Palestinian city in the West Bank.