The Palestinian Authority (PA) released at dawn on Saturday Mohammad al-Zubaidi, son of prisoner and leading Fatah member Zakaria, just hours after detaining him along with two other people in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.
The arrest sparked violent clashes in Jenin and the refugee camp, including heavy gunfire at the headquarters of security forces.
Zakaria was the former commander of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement in Jenin. He made headlines after escaping from Gilboa prison through a tunnel he dug with five other inmates last September before being re-arrested.
Mohammad was arrested after being attacked by members of the Palestinian police, sparking outrage in the Jenin camp and an air of rebellion against the PA.
This is not the first time that clashes erupt between gunmen and PA security forces.
The PA has repeatedly tried to launch campaigns to restore the Palestinian security services' control over the camp and contain the proliferation of weapons, as it did in other areas.
General Political Commissioner and spokesman for the security services, Talal Dwaikat vowed that the security establishment will follow up, through an investigation committee, on any illegal behavior by the security forces.
Commenting on the developments in Jenin, Dwaikat said people who violated the law will be held accountable so that civil peace and the safety of the citizens is maintained.
At the same time, he rejected the dangerous actions committed by gunmen against the Palestinian security forces, whom he said sought to avoid causalities among the people.
Such acts of violence only serve the "enemies of our people," he warned.
Dwaikat stressed that the Jenin Governorate, with all its security, organizational and popular components, is united against Israeli plans to harm the people and the Palestinian national project.
He praised Jenin governor, Akram Rajoub who gave immediate orders to release Zubaidi in honor of Zakaria and his history of struggle.
Israel's Haaretz newspaper said PA officials in Ramallah worked with field activists in Jenin to restore calm in the camp.
