Hamas chief receives Marwan Barghouti’s wife

Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh yesterday received Fadwa Barghouti, the wife of detained Palestinian leader and member of the Fatah Central Committee, Marwan Barghouti.

During the meeting, the two discussed the recent Palestinian developments as well as the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.

For his part, Haniyeh stressed that liberating all Palestinian prisoners is a top priority for Hamas.

In April 2002, Israeli occupation forces arrested Barghouti – the first Palestinian lawmaker and member of the Fatah Central Committee to be detained – and sentenced him to five life sentences and 40 years in prison.

In mid-May, the prison administration transferred the 62-year-old from the Hadarim prison to the Ayalon prison after he issued a statement calling on the Palestinian people to confront the Israeli occupation and engage in the resistance.

With popular support on the street, Barghouti is still seen as a figure who could lead his people to independence.

READ: Marwan Barghouti is top of prisoner exchange list, says Hamas