ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, YANIR YAGNA
Updated:

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced the release of senior Fatah official Jibril Zubeidi on Monday after his administrative detention order expired.

Zubeidi, a resident of Jenin in the West Bank, had been held in administrative detention since 2023.

He is the brother of Zakaria Zubeidi, the former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Jenin, who was recently elected to represent released prisoners on Fatah's Revolutionary Council.

Zakaria Zubeidi was released as part of the prisoner exchange related to the Gaza hostage deal in January 2025.

He is responsible for hundreds of terrorist attacks against Israelis, including the 2002 attack at a Likud branch in Beit She’an that resulted in the deaths of six people.

Zakaria Zubeidi, commander of armed wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, is greeted by his relatives as part of the third batch of the first phase of the hostage swap agreement between Hamas and Israel in Ramallah, West Bank on January 30, 2025.
Zakaria Zubeidi, commander of armed wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, is greeted by his relatives as part of the third batch of the first phase of the hostage swap agreement between Hamas and Israel in Ramallah, West Bank on January 30, 2025. (credit: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

Escaped from Gilboa Prison

In 2021, he briefly escaped from Gilboa Prison before authorities captured him after a massive manhunt. 

Following his release in 2025, Zubeidi was interviewed by the New York Times, during which he discussed his 2021 jailbreak. 

"It was impossible for me to be imprisoned and not seek freedom," he said to the NYT's.

"The prisoner who does not think about escaping prison does not deserve freedom."

Over the past year, Zubeidi has repeatedly criticized National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir’s policies toward Palestinian prisoners, claiming that he “abuses prisoners” and violates their rights.