Just a week after regaining his freedom, Nael Salama Obeid’s life came to a sudden and tragic end when he fell from the rooftop of his home in Issawiya, East Jerusalem, on Saturday.
Obeid, 46, had spent 21 years behind Israeli prison walls, serving seven life sentences plus 30 additional years for his involvement with Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and his alleged role in planning militant operations.
His release was part of the sixth round of a prisoner exchange tied to the Gaza ceasefire — a moment of joy now overshadowed by loss.
According to witnesses, Obeid suffered critical injuries from the fall and was rushed to Hadassah Hospital, where doctors were unable to save him.
His sudden death has left family and friends in shock, turning his brief taste of freedom into heartbreak.
For over two decades, Obeid endured harsh prison conditions, periods of solitary confinement, and hunger strikes in protest. His dream of returning home was finally realised, only to be tragically cut short.
Adding to the family’s grief, Obeid’s death coincided with the scheduled release of his cousin, Ahmad Obeid, who was set to be freed in a separate phase of the prisoner exchange.
