Thu Jan 30 04:22:13 UTC 2025: ## 110 Palestinians, Including Prominent Figure, Released from Israeli Prisons

**RAMALLAH, West Bank** – A total of 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 children and well-known resistance fighter and theatre director Zakaria Zubeidi, were released from Israeli prisons today. The release marks the third phase of a prisoner exchange deal agreed upon as part of a continuing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Eight captives, including five Thai nationals and three Israelis, were also released by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.

Most of the freed Palestinians are expected to arrive in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. However, 20 prisoners will be sent into exile outside Palestine. Zubeidi, 49, is a prominent figure known for his 2021 escape from a maximum-security Israeli prison, an event that cemented his status as a folk hero among Palestinians. He previously led the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and founded the Freedom Theatre in the Jenin refugee camp.

This release brings the total number of Palestinians freed under the ceasefire agreement to 400. Despite the prisoner releases, Israeli forces continue operations in the occupied West Bank, arresting dozens more Palestinians, including those accused of celebrating the previous prisoner releases. Over 10,400 Palestinians remain in Israeli custody, including thousands held in administrative detention. The situation is further complicated by the detention of numerous Palestinians from Gaza, including healthcare workers, who face allegations of torture. The ongoing military operation in Jenin has reportedly killed at least 16 Palestinians and wounded dozens more in the past week.

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