CAIRO – 9 August 2024: Hamas has asked to release the imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan El Barghouti and other Palestinian faction leaders in the first round of the prison swap deal that is being under indirect negotiations with Israel, sources told Sky News Arabia on Friday. Hamas’ demand has been supported by mediators and the US as Barghouti has great popularity in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, sources added. Barghouti is a prominent leader in the Fatah Movement and participated in the first Intifada in 1987 and the second Intifada in 2000. He was arrested several times by Israel for his anti-occupation activities and also survived several assassination attempts by Israeli occupation forces. Barghouti has been seen as a threat to the current Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas, in case he was released and run for the legislative election of the authority.

Source: Egypt Today August 10, 2024 01:38 UTC