Israel Releases Fuad Shubaki After 17 Years in Ashkelon Prison

83-year-old Fuad Shubaki, the oldest Palestinian prisoner in Israel's Ashkelon Jail, was released on Monday, after serving a 17-year sentence for arms smuggling. He then visited the tomb of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.

Young children waved the flag of The Fatah Movement, while women proudly sported t-shirts with the face of a young Shubaki printed on them

Among the crowd were Mahmoud Aloul Vice President of the Fatah movement, and Tawfiq Tirawi. These two figures were often described as possible successors to recent Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. 

Shubaki is actually a senior member of the Fatah Movement. He was arrested by Palestinian security forces in 2002 at the height of the second intifada.  

He was accused of attempting to smuggle weapons from Iran to Gaza aboard the Karine a ship, which was seized by Israel in the red sea. The Israel Military claimed the ship was carrying 50 tonnes of weapons. 

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani visited the west bank and met with his Palestinian counterpart riad malki in Ramallah.

During a joint press conference, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riad Malki Told Tajani about the violence committed by Israel settlers, by soldiers everywhere in the occupied Palestinian territory

While Tajani reiterated Italy is in favor of a two states solution. By underlining it as a fair and sustainable solution, that has to be negotiated by the parties.