Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida, one of the masterminds behind the 2021 Operation Freedom Tunnel, has greeted and saluted Al Mayadeen Network for its steadfast coverage of the Palestinian struggle and detainees’ plight, describing the channel as being “at the vanguard of free media and in the heart of every freedom fighter.”

In a recorded message following his release as part of the latest prisoner exchange deal, al-Arida said, addressing Al Mayadeen, “We will never forget your great historic role in defending our cause, a cause that has lasted for more than a century.”

After his release as part of the prisoner exchange on October 13, Mahmoud al-Arida, one of the leaders of Operation Freedom Tunnel, shared a heartfelt message paying tribute to the #AlMayadeen channel.#Palestine #GazaCeasefire #GazaStrip pic.twitter.com/0f5fwI3Wxr

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 14, 2025

“You are at the vanguard of free media and in the heart of every freedom fighter,” he added.

He extended his condolences to the families of martyrs and to Al Mayadeen’s staff, after several Al Mayadeen staffers were deliberately killed by Israeli occupation forces, saying that the channel’s humanitarian and free message “has deeply influenced the awareness of the nation.”

“May God reward you for your efforts. You are rooted in the heart of every Palestinian and every free person in the world,” he underlined.

Symbol of steadfastness, gratitude

Al-Arida’s message, broadcast by Al Mayadeen, came shortly after his release under a ceasefire-brokered exchange between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation, which saw the liberation of nearly 2,000 detainees, including 1,713 who were detained in the Gaza Strip.

Of those freed, 154 detainees, among them al-Arida, were transferred to Egypt, as part of the agreement mediated by Qatar and Egypt with international oversight.

Read more: Hamas hails prisoner release as national milestone for Palestine

Legacy of Freedom Tunnel

In a moment that captured the spirit of liberation, al-Arida was seen smiling as he sat down for his first breakfast outside Israeli prison walls.

“My first meeting with the spoon in four years,” he said jokingly to reporters, moments before cameras recorded him sharing a modest meal. Images of the moment quickly circulated online, hailed by social media users across the Arab world as a portrait of resilience and dignity.

It is worth noting that al-Arida and his fellow detainees famously used spoons four years ago to dig a tunnel and escape from the high-security Gilboa Prison. Following their recapture, they were subjected to heightened security measures and intense scrutiny, reflecting the Israeli authorities’ determination to prevent a repeat of the audacious and legendary breakout.

Mahmoud al-Arida is widely known as the mastermind of the daring 2021 Gilboa Prison break, which saw six Palestinian detainees tunnel their way out of the high-security Israeli facility. The event, celebrated across Palestine and the wider Arab world, marked a turning point in the detainees’ movement, inspiring renewed resistance inside and outside Israeli prisons.

Through his message to Al Mayadeen, al-Arida reaffirmed that the voice of Palestine’s freedom fighters continues to resonate, carried and amplified by media committed to truth, resistance, and humanity.

Read more: 2K Palestinian detainees freed, defy occupation with mass welcome