Freed Hamas Prisoner Rearrested on Terrorism Charges

Muhammad Ziadat, a 71-year-old Arab Israeli citizen from Acre, has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in terrorism and security offenses. Ziadat was released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange after serving 24 years of a life sentence for his involvement in a 2003 bombing attack on an Egged bus traveling from Ramla to Tel Aviv, in which a grenade was thrown at the vehicle.

Intelligence suggests Ziadat photographed Jewish groups on the Temple Mount. During a search of his home, police confiscated three mobile phones. One phone featured a picture of a Hamas operative as its background, and the photo gallery contained additional images of operatives. Ziadat claimed the background photo changed automatically, a statement investigators did not find credible. They possess further classified intelligence supporting the serious security suspicions against him.

Ziadat's arrest highlights a concerning trend reported by the Shin Bet security agency, which states that over 50% of prisoners released in the Shalit deal have returned to terrorist activities. This case follows the recent arrests of other Shalit deal releasees, including a Bethlehem operative apprehended in Ma'ale Adumim on September 3rd, who was allegedly running a Toyota car theft ring. Another releasee was recently caught in central Tel Aviv and deported back to the Palestinian territories.