Israeli police arrest four of six Palestinian fugitives who escaped from prison

The arrests moved Israel closer to closing an embarrassing episode that exposed deep flaws in its prison system and turned the fugitive prisoners into heroes

Early on Saturday, police said they had caught two men hiding in a car park in the Arab town of Umm al-Ghanam

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Palestinian militant Mohammad Ardah, one of the six militants who escaped from a high-security prison, with Israeli police officers during his trial in Nazareth, Israel on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:46am, 12 Sep 2021Updated: 5:46am, 12 Sep 2021

Israeli police on Saturday said they have arrested four of the six Palestinians who broke out of a maximum-security prison this week – including a famed militant leader whose exploits over the years have made him a well-known figure in Israel.

The arrests moved Israel closer to closing an embarrassing episode that exposed deep flaws in its prison system and turned the fugitive prisoners into Palestinian heroes. Late on Friday, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into Israel in an apparent sign of solidarity, drawing Israeli air strikes in reprisal.

The four wanted men were caught in a pair of arrests in northern Israel.

Palestinian militant Zakaria Zubeidi after being arrested, following his escape from Gilboa prison in Israel on Saturday. Photo: Israeli Police / Handout via Reuters

Early on Saturday, police said they had caught two men, including Zakaria Zubeidi, hiding in a car park in the Arab town of Umm al-Ghanam.

The Israeli Haaretz news site, quoting an unidentified defence official, said Zubeidi and fellow fugitive Mohammed Aradeh had been hiding outdoors for some time. The source said the two escapees appeared to have received no help following their escape and had no planned route on where to go.