Hamas Demands Release of Key Palestinian Prisoners in Gaza Deal Negotiations

Sat Oct 11 2025 20:16:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire, Hamas is urging Israel to include prominent Palestinian prisoners in the list of those to be released, following the Israeli justice ministry's initial prisoner list.

Hamas is advocating for the inclusion of high-profile Palestinian prisoners, notably Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, in a proposed prisoner release as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel. The deal, which involves the anticipated release of 20 Israeli hostages, has seen tensions rise regarding the exclusion of these key figures who symbolize Palestinian resistance. As negotiations continue, the impact on the hostage release timeline remains uncertain.

Hamas is pressing Israel to include prominent Palestinians in a prisoner-release list as part of a ceasefire deal that will also see hostages returned from Gaza.

Hamas's insistence comes after the Israeli justice ministry published the names of 250 prisoners to be freed, but excluded seven high-profile prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat.

The men, who are serving sentences after being convicted of involvement in separate deadly attacks in Israel, have long been seen by Palestinians as symbols of resistance.

Twenty Israeli hostages are expected to be released before 12:00 (09:00 GMT) on Monday as part of the deal proposed by US President Donald Trump.

A senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks told the BBC that US envoy Steve Witkoff had promised to raise the exclusion of the Palestinian prisoners with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Israel has firmly refused to include them.

It is not clear whether this could be a sticking point, or impact the timeline for the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The releases are due to take place in the first phase of Trump's ceasefire and hostage return deal, approved this week to end the two-year war in Gaza.

Following previous patterns, concerns remain over how the hostages will be released, given past incidents where Hamas showcased hostages publicly, infuriating Israel and its allies. Additionally, the bodies of deceased hostages are to be returned, with estimates suggesting at least 26 are deceased, and the fate of two remains unknown.

Israel will also release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and another 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Hamas had submitted a list including Barghouti and Saadat, who have both been recognized as pivotal Palestinian leaders.

Barghouti, serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating deadly attacks, continues to be a highly popular figure among Palestinians, drawing potential support over current leaders. Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), was also imprisoned for similar offenses.

Amidst the negotiations, the first phase of the Israel-Hamas deal saw a ceasefire take effect and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal, with increased aid expected to flow into Gaza. The situation continues to evolve, particularly in light of immense casualties on both sides since the October 7th attacks initiated by Hamas.