Israeli prosecution submits indictment against Gilboa breakers

Ramallah (QNN)- The Israeli prosecution on Sunday submitted an indictment against 11 prisoners, including the six Gilboa prison breakers, as well as, five political detainees who helped them.

According to the indictment, Mahmoud Arida decided to start digging the tunnel last year in order to escape. He told Qadiri and Infei’at about his plan and asked them if they want to join it and they agreed.

Last March, they were joined by Muhammad Arida, who is Mahmoud’s cousin.

As of the end of 2020, the detainees dug a tunnel in an abandoned toilet. They removed a tile then started digging until they reached a 25cm thick concrete block, so, they used a caustic substance to penetrate it. After that, Zakariya Zubeidi joined them.

According to the indictment, Zubeidi joined the group so that he help them to be safe in Jenin, as he has good connections there.

Five other detainees were included in the indictment for their role in aiding the six prisoners. They were accused of taking part in the digging and guarding the tunnel. They did not escape as they had short jail sentences to serve.

The five prisoners are Mahmoud Abu Ishrein, Qusai Mer’i, Ali Abu Baker, Mahmoud Abu Baker, and Iyad Jaradat.