Hamas Demands Key Palestinian Prisoners Be Included in Hostage Release Deal
Hamas is pressing Israel to expand a prisoner-release list to include prominent Palestinian figures as part of a ceasefire agreement that will also see hostages returned from Gaza, potentially complicating the ongoing negotiations.
The demand comes after the Israeli justice ministry published a list of 250 prisoners slated for release, but excluded seven high-profile individuals, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat. These men, convicted in connection with deadly attacks against Israelis, are widely considered symbols of resistance by Palestinians. Twenty Israeli hostages are expected to be released before 12:00 (09:00 GMT) today, Monday, as part of the deal brokered by the United States.
A senior Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that US envoy Steve Witkoff had pledged to address the exclusion of Barghouti and Saadat with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israel has reportedly remained firm in its refusal. Barghouti, serving five life sentences plus 40 years for planning attacks that killed five civilians, consistently polls as the most popular Palestinian leader, potentially influencing future political landscapes. Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, received a 30-year sentence for involvement in attacks, including the 2001 assassination of an Israeli minister. Hamas is also seeking the release of Palestinians previously released in exchange for Gilad Shalit who were rearrested after October 7th, arguing they should not be counted within the current 250 prisoner limit. For more background on the conflict, see the Council on Foreign Relations.
In Israel, hospitals are preparing for the return of the hostages as families await news. The initial phase of the ceasefire, which began yesterday, has allowed for increased aid deliveries into Gaza, where an estimated 67,682 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s military offensive, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ongoing negotiations will determine the fate of at least 26 hostages believed to be deceased, with the status of two others still unknown. The United Nations continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Officials say the next phases of the deal are still under negotiation, and Israel has indicated it will not concede to Hamas’s demands regarding the specific prisoners named.
