President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, which includes the release of all hostages. Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are set to begin in Egypt to address a hostage agreement. During these talks, Hamas is expected to demand the release of several high-profile Palestinian terrorists. These individuals are figures Israel has been reluctant to release. The identities of these terrorists are as follows:
* **Marwan Barghouti:** A key leader of Fatah Tanzim, implicated in planning attacks during the Second Intifada, which resulted in the deaths of five Israelis. He is serving five life sentences.
* **Ahmad Saadat:** The leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), who plotted the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi in 2001. He is serving a 30-year sentence.
* **Ibrahim Hamed:** The Hamas commander in the West Bank, responsible for the deaths of multiple Israelis.
* **Abbas al-Sayed:** The mastermind behind the 2002 Park Hotel bombing in Netanya, which claimed the lives of 39 Israelis.
* **Hassan Salameh:** Involved in the planning of several suicide bombings.
Hamas has reportedly prioritized the release of these individuals, making it a central condition for any agreement, even at the risk of jeopardizing the entire deal. Israel currently holds 303 prisoners serving life sentences.
Hamas is also seeking the release of members of its elite Nukhba force who participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks. Israel has consistently rejected this demand. Agricultural Minister and former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter has indicated a willingness to release some imprisoned terrorists but expressed skepticism about releasing those involved in the October 7 attacks.
Further, Hamas demands a guaranteed complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and a set timeline for the withdrawal. The Hamas negotiating team, led by Khalil al-Hayya, will also engage with the Palestinian Authority (PA) team to establish a governing structure for Gaza post-conflict, potentially involving the PA.
