As the Gaza peace deal is taking the final turn, Hamas has put up the demands for the release of at least four prisoners: Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa’adat, Ibrahim Hamed, and Abbas al-Sayed.One of the prisoners, Marwan Barghouti, is the most prominent person who is currently serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison.Palestinian factions have attempted to secure Barghouti’s release on several occasions, including during previous ceasefire negotiations in the current conflict, but Israel has consistently refused.Barghouti’s son, Arab Barghouti, said in August that Israel was unwilling to release his father because Netanyahu “doesn’t want a partner for peace,” as cited by CNN.Barghouti, who gained widespread popularity when he was imprisoned over two decades ago, is still regarded by many as a leader capable of uniting Palestinians. The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) remains weakened by corruption and strict Israeli restrictions, leaving it under significant financial strain.
Who is Marwan Barghouti?
Barghouti began his activism as a teenager, spending four years in prison at age 15 for joining the then-banned Fatah party. After his release, he pursued studies in history and political science.He climbed the ranks to become Fatah’s secretary-general in the occupied West Bank and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the parliament of the Palestinian Authority.In April 2002, Barghouti was arrested in Ramallah during Operation Defensive Shield and later convicted in an Israeli civilian court on five counts of murder and additional charges. He is currently serving five life sentences along with additional years, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. Israel considers him one of the most high-profile terrorists. Barghouti was banned from entering his hometown of Ramallah for years and was only allowed to return in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, a series of peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.Barghouti has been seen as a potential successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, enjoying widespread support among Palestinians while continuing to endorse a two-state solution.Barghouti has been held in solitary confinement since the onset of the current Gaza war, according to his family and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.The last public glimpse of him came in a brief video released by Israel’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, in which Barghouti was shown being taunted in prison.