Qatar pushes to secure Marwan Barghouti’s release in Gaza prisoner exchange deal
The Israeli prime minister’s office unilaterally removed Marwan Barghouti’s name from the prisoner exchange list at the last minute, endangering the Gaza ceasefire deal’s implementation, a source close to the prominent Palestinian prisoner told Middle East Eye.
Barghouti, who is the most popular Palestinian political figure according to polls, was one of the most valuable names to potentially be traded for the 48 Israeli captives in Gaza.
A source close to Barghouti and his family told MEE that last night mediators including US envoy Steve Witkoff signed off on a prisoner list that included Barghouti.
However on Thursday, an Israeli spokesperson told reporters that “at this point in time that he will not be part of this release”. [Continue reading…]
Qatar, with US backing, is pressing for detained senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti to be included in a landmark Gaza prisoner exchange, after Israeli negotiators withdrew earlier signals of approval for his release.
Earlier reports suggested that the Israeli security delegation had initially indicated it would accept Barghouti’s release, after Hamas placed his name on its proposed lists.
However, The New Arab’s Arabic edition has learned that Israel later reversed its position and removed his name from consideration.
Sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Qatari mediation was now focused on reinstating Barghouti’s inclusion in the final agreement, viewing it as central to the credibility and significance of the Gaza deal. [Continue reading…]
Though the Gaza ceasefire deal has prompted celebrations in Israel in anticipation that the remaining captives will soon be released, discontent is rumbling among the powerful Israeli right wing, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insisting the war is not over.
The Israeli religious right, most prominently represented by Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have for two years pushed for a total takeover of the Gaza Strip, including illegal Jewish settlement there, and fought against previous ceasefire deals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet will vote on the first phase of the ceasefire plan – where 48 captives will be released in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian detainees and Israeli troops will partially withdraw – later on Thursday.
So far, Ben Gvir has yet to comment on the deal. Smotrich, meanwhile, posted a statement on X saying he will not vote for the agreement but nonetheless taking credit for it seeing all living captives – estimated to be 20 – being released at once and immediately. [Continue reading…]
The IDF carried out an airstrike in Gaza City Thursday night as government ministers convened to vote on a US-backed hostage release and ceasefire deal aimed at permanently ending the Gaza war.
Palestinian media, citing the Hamas-run Gaza civil defense agency, reported that the strike in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood caused a building to collapse, trapping some 40 people under the debris.
Civil defense said four lifeless bodies were recovered from the building, adding that “more than 40 people are still under the rubble.” [Continue reading…]