Israel releases Hamas co-founder after two years in detention
Israeli authorities released Hamas co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar after two years in detention, and in the Egyptian-mediated exchange a number of Palestinians held by Israel were also freed. According to Al Jazeera, the release process was conducted through the Rafah border crossing. Hamas described the exchange as 'an important step.'
Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed Hamas co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar crossing into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Sources at Israel's Justice Ministry confirmed that the exchange was conducted with Egyptian intelligence mediation and that it was tied to the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Al-Zahar had been detained in an operation in December 2024.
Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin said the exchange had been assessed on security grounds and that all Palestinians released were subject to a 're-detention option.' Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem said the exchange was 'an important step' and called for talks to continue. Palestinian Authority sources said the released Palestinians would be directed to health services in Ramallah and East Jerusalem.
Cairo-based Egyptian Intelligence Service said the talks had been run through Rafah and that the exchange could be part of a wider ceasefire framework. The US State Department described the exchange as 'a promising development.' UN Humanitarian Coordinator Tor Wennesland said that medical and legal support would be provided to those released.
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