Marwan Barghouti, widely regarded as the most popular and potentially unifying figure among Palestinians, will not be freed as part of the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement. This highly anticipated exchange involves the release of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
While Israel plans to release approximately 250 prisoners, the government’s official list, published on Friday (October 10, 2025), notably excludes other prominent figures consistently sought by Hamas. The precise finality of this list, however, remains uncertain. Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk confirmed to Al Jazeera TV that the group is actively advocating for Barghouti’s release, alongside other key individuals, and remains in ongoing discussions with mediators.
For Israel, Marwan Barghouti is firmly categorized as a terrorist leader. He is currently serving multiple life sentences, handed down in 2004, for his alleged involvement in attacks in Israel that resulted in five deaths.
However, experts suggest Israel’s apprehension towards Barghouti extends beyond his past actions. As a staunch advocate for a two-state solution who also supported armed resistance against occupation, Barghouti embodies a powerful, unifying force for Palestinians. Many within the Palestinian community revere him as their own Nelson Mandela, drawing parallels to the South African anti-apartheid icon who eventually became his country’s first Black President.
The recently enacted ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, which took effect on Friday (October 10, 2025), is slated to see Hamas release around 20 living Israeli hostages by Monday (October 13, 2025). In return, Israel is expected to free approximately 250 convicted Palestinians and an additional 1,700 individuals detained from Gaza over the past two years without formal charges.
Despite Hamas’s consistent demands for Barghouti’s release in previous ceasefire negotiations, particularly for a leader of Fatah, their primary political rival, Israel has consistently rejected these requests.
Mouin Rabbani, a non-resident fellow at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and co-editor of Jadaliyya, highlighted Barghouti’s unique ability to bridge divides among Palestinians while also engaging with Israelis. Rabbani states, “Mr. Barghouti is seen as a credible national leader, someone who can lead the Palestinians in a way Abbas has consistently failed to.”
Israel, Rabbani argues, is “keen to avoid” such an outcome, given its long-standing policy of fostering Palestinian division and weakening Abbas’ administration. He also notes that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas himself perceives Barghouti’s potential release as a threat to his own leadership.
Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University and an expert in Arab-Israeli relations, adds that “Mr. Barghouti is not connected to the corruption that has plagued Abbas’ Palestinian Authority and turned many against it.” Zisser further explains that Barghouti’s immense popularity could strengthen Palestinian institutions – a prospect seen as alarming by Israel’s right-wing government, which actively opposes any progress towards Palestinian statehood.
Barghouti’s public presence was last noted in August 2025, when Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir filmed himself inside a prison, sternly admonishing Barghouti and vowing that Israel would “wipe out” anyone acting against the country.