Mr. Zubeidi, who was also once a theater director, stunned Israelis and Palestinians alike when he and others broke out of jail in 2021.

The reception in Ramallah for the former Jenin-based militant leader reflects his magnetic appeal. In 2021, he escaped from a maximum-security prison by digging a tunnel with a spoon

Zakaria Zubeidi, A prominent leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), and a former member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council, was released Thursday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Palestinians serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis were among 110 prisoners who were freed on Thursday during a tense hostage swap in the second week of the cease-fire between the Jewish state and Hamas.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

In Ramallah hundreds greet Zubeidi, who organized dozens of attacks during the Second Intifada; 66 prisonerrs sent to West Bank, 14 to East Jerusalem, 21 to Egypt and 9 to Gaza

Zubeidi is a renowned terrorist responsible for the deaths of many Israelis and multiple terrorist attacks. He briefly escaped from Gilboa Prison in 2021 before authorities recove

Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, was released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Zubeidi,

Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of a Palestinian militant group jailed for attacks that killed several Israelis, is to be released Thursday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal between

Jerusalem has ordered their release held up "until the safe exit of our hostages during the next waves is guaranteed," according to the Prime Minister's Office.

As part of the ongoing prisoner exchange, Israel released 110 Palestinian detainees, including 32 serving life sentences and 30 children.

The release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners as laid out in the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal had been in doubt after crowds in southern Gaza surrounded hostages who were being freed.