In the midst of intense cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, the fate of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political figure and the highest-profile prisoner held by Israel, hangs in the balance. Hamas leaders have demanded Barghouti's release as part of any agreement to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This demand has brought renewed attention to Barghouti, who remains a central figure in Palestinian politics despite spending over two decades behind bars. His potential release could pave the way for his future election to national office.
Hamas' insistence on Barghouti's freedom serves two purposes. Firstly, it seeks to rally public support for the militant group, showcasing its commitment to the Palestinian cause. Secondly, it acknowledges Barghouti's status as a unifying figure among Palestinians. Qadoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, suggests that Hamas is striving to present itself as a responsible and inclusive movement.
As international mediators work towards brokering an agreement between Israel and Hamas, Barghouti's release has become a key point of contention. Israel is seeking the freedom of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. In return, Hamas is demanding an end to Israel's military offensive and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
The conflict, which began on October 7th when Hamas fighters crossed into Israel, has resulted in immense human suffering, with over 1,200 people killed and hundreds taken hostage. Israel launched a devastating military campaign in response, resulting in the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, raising urgent concerns for the hostages' safety.
The situation of Palestinian prisoners holds deep emotional significance for their families and communities. While Israel categorizes them as 'security prisoners,' Palestinians view them as heroes in their struggle against Israeli occupation. This sentiment is widespread, as nearly every Palestinian personally knows someone who has been imprisoned.
According to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked, Israel is currently holding almost 9,000 security prisoners. Hamas is calling for the release of all these individuals, yet in their recent demand, they specifically mentioned Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat. Saadat, the head of a smaller faction responsible for killing an Israeli Cabinet minister, has been serving a 30-year sentence for his alleged involvement in attacks.
Barghouti, a member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, is seen by many Palestinians as a natural successor to the 88-year-old Abbas, who leads the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abbas hopes to regain control of Gaza following the conflict, but his unpopularity due to corruption allegations and security coordination with the Israeli army impedes his goals. Palestinians have not had elections since 2006 when Hamas emerged as the majority winner.
Supporters of Barghouti, like Qadoura Fares, believe that his release could make him a consensus candidate in future elections, gathering support from various Palestinian factions. A December 2021 opinion poll indicated that Barghouti is the most popular politician among Palestinians, surpassing both Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas.
However, convincing Israel to free Barghouti will undoubtedly be a difficult task. Israel views him as an arch-terrorist due to his leadership role during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s when suicide bombings and other attacks targeted Israelis. Barghouti was arrested in 2002 for his involvement in multiple deadly attacks and refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court during his trial. Despite his imprisonment, Barghouti has continued to advocate for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
Israel has previously rejected appeals for Barghouti's release, even during the 2011 exchange of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a single Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Yehya Sinwar, the current leader of Hamas in Gaza and one of the masterminds behind the recent attack, was freed in that exchange.
The current negotiations, however, revolve around the release of over 100 hostages. With their lives hanging in the balance, there is mounting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal. The conditions may be ripe for a comprehensive agreement that secures Barghouti's release while also bolstering Hamas' standing among Palestinians.
Qadoura Fares notes that Hamas has become stronger and more astute than ever before, recognizing the necessity of creating consensus among the Palestinian people. Only time will tell whether Barghouti's release can contribute to a lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and shape the future of Palestinian leadership.
