Israel draws a red line; Six resistance leaders to stay behind bars

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the six prominent Palestinian figures — some considered symbolic leaders of the Palestinian resistance — are serving multiple life sentences in Israeli prisons. Israeli authorities reportedly view them as a “red line” in any potential deal.

Hamas is said to have strongly demanded the release of four of these prisoners, but Israel has imposed a sweeping veto to block their inclusion in the exchange.

Yedioth Ahronoth listed the six Palestinian commanders as follows:

1.     Marwan Barghouti – A senior Fatah leader and former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, arrested by Israel in 2002 and sentenced to five life terms plus 40 years.

He is accused of commanding the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and orchestrating attacks during the Second Intifada. Despite being imprisoned, Barghouti retains significant national influence and was recently threatened by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

2.     Ahmad Sa’adat – Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Arrested after the 2001 assassination of Israel’s tourism minister and transferred from a Jericho prison to Israeli custody in 2006, he was sentenced to 30 years. Although not affiliated with Hamas, his release is part of broader national demands.

3.     Abbas al-Sayyid – Commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm, accused of planning the 2002 “Park Hotel” bombing in Netanya that killed 35 Israelis. He has been sentenced to 35 life terms and is regarded as one of the key figures of the Palestinian resistance.

4.     Ibrahim Hamed – Hamas’s military commander in the West Bank, accused of planning several deadly attacks, including those at Hebrew University and the Rishon LeZion shopping mall. He is serving 54 life sentences and is considered by Israel to be “one of the most dangerous prisoners.”

5.     Abdullah Barghouti – Hamas’s military engineer and explosives expert, responsible for numerous operations including the Sbarro restaurant and Moment Café bombings in Jerusalem. Convicted for his role in the deaths of 66 Israelis and hundreds of injuries, he is serving multiple life terms.

6.     Hassan Salameh – A founding member of Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, responsible for revenge operations following the assassination of Yahya Ayyash, including attacks on Route 18 in Jerusalem and the Ashkelon Junction. Sentenced to 46 life terms, he recently published a book from prison titled Burning Buses, which has reportedly angered Israeli authorities.