Hamas is reportedly intensifying its demands for the release of high-profile Palestinian prisoners as a crucial component of a potential ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Israel. This development follows Israel’s publication of a list of 250 prisoners slated for release, a list that notably omits several figures considered symbols of Palestinian resistance, such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat.
These excluded individuals are serving lengthy sentences after being convicted for their roles in attacks that resulted in Israeli civilian deaths. Their continued imprisonment has made them central figures in Palestinian national sentiment, often seen as martyrs for their cause. The outcome of Hamas’s insistence on their inclusion remains uncertain and could potentially complicate the ongoing negotiations.
The proposed deal, brokered with the involvement of US President Donald Trump, aims to secure the return of twenty Israeli hostages from Gaza. These releases are expected to commence shortly, marking the initial phase of a broader agreement intended to end the protracted conflict. However, the disagreement over the prisoner list introduces a significant point of contention.
Sources indicate that Palestinian officials have engaged with US envoy Steve Witkoff, who reportedly promised to discuss the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite these efforts, Israel has maintained a firm stance against releasing these specific high-profile prisoners. The critical question now is whether this impasse will delay or jeopardize the planned hostage and prisoner exchanges.
The situation is further complicated by the method of hostage release, with concerns raised about past practices where Hamas publicly paraded hostages, causing distress to Israel and its allies. The agreement also includes the return of deceased hostages, a grim reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict. At least 26 hostages are currently believed to be dead, with the status of two others unknown.
In addition to the hostages, Israel is expected to release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, along with an additional 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza. Hamas’s demand to include figures like Marwan Barghouti, a highly popular Palestinian leader and senior figure in Fatah, and Ahmad Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), highlights the deep-seated political dimensions of these negotiations.
The inclusion of Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander convicted for his role in deadly suicide bombings, in the initial list of 250 releases, underscores the complex nature of prisoner exchanges. His potential deportation abroad or release to Gaza adds another layer to the intricate negotiations.
Hamas is also reportedly seeking the release of Palestinian prisoners who had previously been part of an exchange for hostage Gilad Shalit but were subsequently rearrested after the 7 October attacks. Hamas argues that these individuals, having been part of a prior exchange, should not be counted within the agreed-upon figure of 250.