Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader, is not included in the list of prisoners that Israel plans to release in exchange for hostages held by Hamas as part of the new Gaza ceasefire agreement. Israel has declined to release other high-profile prisoners demanded by Hamas, although the final list of approximately 250 prisoners posted on the Israeli government’s official website is still uncertain.
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk stated that the group is in talks with mediators and insists on the release of Barghouti and other notable figures.
Israel considers Barghouti a terrorist leader who is currently serving multiple life sentences for his involvement in deadly attacks in Israel in 2004.
Despite being viewed as a terrorist by Israel, Barghouti is seen by some as a unifying figure who advocates for a two-state solution while supporting armed resistance against occupation. His potential release could make him a significant rallying point for Palestinians, akin to Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
Under the new ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas is set to release around 20 living Israeli hostages by Monday, while Israel will free approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners serving sentences, along with about 1,700 individuals seized from Gaza in the past two years without charges.
The release of prisoners holds significant symbolic value for both Israelis and Palestinians, with differing perceptions of the detainees as either terrorists or political prisoners and freedom fighters.
Many of the prisoners to be released have been incarcerated for over two decades, with most being Hamas and Fatah members arrested during the 2000s for their involvement in attacks against Israelis.
During the Second intifada in the early 2000s, a violent Palestinian uprising led to numerous casualties on both sides, as Palestinian armed groups carried out attacks while the Israeli military responded with force.
Among those to be released is Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander responsible for orchestrating suicide bombings in Israel between 2003 and 2005, resulting in multiple fatalities.
The oldest prisoner set for release is 64-year-old Samir Abu Naama, a Fatah member arrested in 1986 for planting explosives, while the youngest is Mohammed Abu Qatish, who was arrested at the age of 16 in 2022 for an attempted stabbing.
Hamas has long pushed for Barghouti’s release, viewing him as a key figure in potential peace negotiations.
Israel, however, has been reluctant to release Barghouti, citing concerns based on past prisoner exchanges that led to further violence. Barghouti, seen as a potential successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, remains a popular and influential leader among Palestinians.
Barghouti’s history as a political activist dates back to his involvement in student protests against the Israeli occupation during his university years. Despite his imprisonment, he has continued to engage in political activities and calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Barghouti’s imprisonment has not diminished his influence, as he has managed to bridge divides within the Palestinian community and garner support from various factions.
His potential release could have significant implications for Palestinian politics, potentially strengthening Palestinian institutions and posing a challenge to Israel’s policies regarding statehood.
Barghouti’s popularity and non-involvement in corruption allegations against the Palestinian Authority differentiate him from other Palestinian leaders, making him a formidable force in potential peace negotiations.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding Barghouti’s release, his continued relevance in Palestinian politics remains a topic of interest and speculation.
