Israeli Ministry of Justice to Release 735 Palestinian Prisoners as Part of Gaza Deal

jerusalem - A list of convicted Palestinian terrorists, including murderers and commanders, to be released following a Gaza deal has been announced by the Israeli Ministry of Justice.

Prominent Terrorists to Be Released

The Israeli Ministry of Justice has published a list of 735 Palestinian prisoners set to be released as part of the Gaza deal. Among them is prominent commander Zakaria Zubeidi, involved in the Gilboa Prison escape and responsible for a deadly attack in Bet She’an in 2002.

Another prisoner, Mahmoud Atallah, serving a life sentence plus 15 years for the murder of a Palestinian woman accused of collaboration with Israel, and charged with raping a female prison guard last September, will also be released.

Ahmed Barghouti, known for supplying weapons to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and organizing deadly attacks, is among the released prisoners. Wael Qassem and Wisam Abbasi, members of Hamas' "Silwan Cell", will also be freed. They were responsible for multiple attacks causing numerous casualties in the early 2000s.

The announcement has raised concerns among Israeli ministers who fear releasing seasoned terrorists and setting a dangerous precedent. Some settlers who attacked Palestinians in the West Bank may also be released in response.

The National Security Council acknowledged the complexity of the decision to release such prisoners, recognizing the dilemma of weighing the pain inflicted by the prisoners against the fear for the lives of hostages and their families.