Zaiter, 48, is considered one of Lebanon's largest traffickers, maintaining his own militia. In the scope of activity, he is probably second only to the terror organization Hezbollah. Accordingly, for years, he was considered one of the prominent figures in producing and trafficking the stimulant drug Captagon, a substance nicknamed "cocaine for the poor." He was also involved in hashish and marijuana. As part of this, he engaged in extensive cannabis cultivation.

He is a criminal who was loyal to Hezbollah and operated inside Syria during the civil war years. In Lebanon, people also say he maintained relationships with several members of the Assad family before it was ousted from power a year ago.

Throughout the years, Zaiter did not hesitate to speak to the media and express support for Hezbollah. In the previous decade, for example, he addressed the organization's then-secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, "My lord, we are the ones who paid the price for our loyalty and our inability to defend ourselves against the slanders, but we are people of honor and we committed ourselves to fight injustice and the enemies of the nation. We remain faithful to our commitment. We say – at your command, Nasrallah."

According to the US Treasury Department, Zaiter maintained close contact with the Fourth Division of the Syrian army, which was under the command of Maher al-Assad before the regime's collapse. According to the US, he provided support to Hezbollah in equipment, money, goods, and services. Consequently, he was included on the sanctions list.

Zaiter was known for his lavish lifestyle and the pistol he carried on his belt. For years, he lived on the western ridge slopes of the Lebanese mountains. Drug trafficking is particularly widespread in Lebanon, especially in the Beqaa region in the country's east. Dozens of traffickers operate there who have enjoyed immunity from the law for many years.

Pollard confirmed the meeting to the newspaper and noted this was the first time an American official hosted him in an office since his release. "It was a friendly meeting," he was quoted as saying. It should be noted that after being released from prison, Pollard is prevented from returning to the US, so the meeting with Huckabee could only take place in Israel.

According to the report, the meeting did not appear on Huckabee's official schedule, and its very existence worried the CIA station chief in Israel. The White House did not know about it in advance, and senior officials were unpleasantly surprised when they learned about it. According to the report, it is unclear whether the State Department approved holding the meeting in question.

At midday, Pollard told Israel Hayom the meeting between him and the ambassador was on a personal basis only. "Mr. Huckabee was a true gentleman. During the years I was in prison, he tried to help on a humanitarian basis. In particular, he provided great assistance to my late wife, Esther, who for many years was ill with cancer. I asked to thank him personally. The meeting was on a deeply personal basis only. We did not discuss political or other issues."

It should be noted that after being released from prison, Pollard is prevented from returning to the US, so the meeting with Huckabee could only take place in Israel.

Israel Hayom learned the meeting was held openly in the ambassador's office in Jerusalem, with embassy staff and others fully aware of its occurrence.

During the meeting, lawmakers emphasized their support for the released hostages and their families, and their commitment to continued efforts to return the three remaining deceased hostages from Hamas. Congresswoman Haley Stevens said, "You carry with you a burden, a story, an experience you didn't ask for. We will continue to be your allies and your friends forever – we will continue wearing the pin and telling your story." Congressman Craig Goldman said, "We were with you from the first day – we thought about you, waited for you, prayed for you every evening." He emphasized the memory of those who didn't return home and the significance of meeting with the released captives.

Congressman Brad Schneider addressed the significance of Hanukkah and the aspect of returning from captivity, saying, "Hanukkah is a holiday that brings families together. It's a holiday of light, and I know that for a hostage to come from darkness to light is huge. Your pictures were on our walls and in our hearts, and we continue wearing the yellow ribbon. We're here, both parties, and there wasn't a moment when we weren't all committed to bringing the hostages home." Schneider added, "On a dreidel, there are four letters, here they say 'a great miracle happened there' – but that you're here with us is completely 'a great miracle happened here.'"

Delegation participants thanked the public officials for their support during captivity and for their involvement in contacts to end the fighting and return all the hostages. Family members emphasized the importance of the relationship between Israel and the US and the American administration's contribution to dealing with the security situation.

Danny Miran, father of Omri Miran, noted the significance of uniting Democrats and Republicans in one room. He thanked Congress members and American Jewry for their efforts to return the hostages and mentioned the holiday's proximity as a point of light for the families.