An Israeli website revealed that Hamas assured the families of prominent Palestinian prisoners Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat that they will be released in the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal, despite Israel’s opposition.
According to Kan TV, Hamas is planning a strategic move to take control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) after President Mahmoud Abbas.
The channel reported that Barghouti has the highest chance of winning in future elections. It also noted that his release from prison would make him indebted to Hamas for his freedom, even though he is a leading figure in the Fatah movement.
The same source stated that Israel has objected to the release of both Barghouti and Saadat, insisting that it will not set them free.
The report highlighted that Israel strongly opposes Barghouti’s release due to his widespread popularity among Palestinians.
Marwan Barghouti, a former leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, was accused of planning and carrying out attacks that resulted in the deaths of Israelis. He was arrested in 2003 and sentenced to five life terms plus an additional 40 years in prison.
Ahmed Saadat, the former leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was convicted of planning the assassination of former Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi. In 2008, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
READ: Families of Palestinian senior prisoners Barghouti, Saadat deny exile them to Turkiye