Israel Refuses to Free Hamas’s Terror Mastermind Marwan Barghouti
Israel is steadfastly blocking the release of terrorist leader Marwan Barghouti in ceasefire talks with Hamas, prioritizing security against a group intent on escalating violence. Disputes over aid distribution and IDF deployment further complicate negotiations, reflecting Israel’s commitment to thwarting Hamas’s terror agenda.
Israel’s resolute stance in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, demonstrates its commitment to security as talks falter over the release of terrorist mastermind Marwan Barghouti and other contentious issues. Approximately 80% of a potential Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal has been agreed upon, but critical disputes, centered on humanitarian aid distribution, IDF deployment, and Hamas’s demand to free notorious terrorists, threaten to derail progress. The negotiations, ongoing since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that brutally murdered 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251, aim to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages, 20 remaining alive per IDF intelligence.
At the heart of the deadlock is Hamas’s insistence on releasing Marwan Barghouti, a Fatah leader convicted of orchestrating five murders during the Second Intifada’s wave of suicide bombings that killed over 1,000 Israelis from 2000-2005. Hamas views Barghouti, often misleadingly called the “Palestinian Nelson Mandela,” as a key figure to unify factions and escalate terror against Israel and Jewish communities. Israel firmly rejects freeing Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, serving 30 years for terror activities, citing their history of inciting violence. A senior Israeli official stated, “Releasing terrorist masterminds like Barghouti would be handing Hamas a victory to fuel more attacks on our people.” Israel’s position reflects its vow of “never again” after October 7’s atrocities, including rape, beheadings, and massacres.
Additional sticking points include Hamas’s demand for UN-only aid distribution, rejecting the Israel- and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has delivered 1.2 million tons of aid since October 2023 despite Hamas’s attacks on aid sites, like the July 3, 2025, Rafah grenade incident. Israel insists on controlling aid to prevent Hamas from stealing supplies, as documented by UNRWA in 2024. IDF deployment in Gaza, particularly along the Philadelphi Corridor, is non-negotiable for Israel to ensure security, while Hamas seeks a full withdrawal to pre-March 2, 2024, truce lines. A Lebanese report claimed Israel “strives to create new crises” by limiting Rafah Crossing access, but Israeli officials counter that Hamas’s demands risk enabling rearmament. X posts echo Israel’s resolve, with one user stating, “Barghouti’s release would be a green light for more terror, Israel’s right to say no.”
The first phase of the deal, implemented January 19, 2025, freed 33 hostages for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, but phase two stalls as Israel awaits Hamas’s compliance on handover protocols. Israel’s unwavering refusal to free figures like Barghouti, who could galvanize further violence, underscores its priority to protect citizens from Hamas’s ongoing threat, as evidenced by the July 6 Beit Hanoun ambush killing five IDF soldiers.