Palestine: Efforts to Release Marwan Barghouti

Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti attends a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court (file photo: Reuters)
Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti attends a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court (file photo: Reuters)
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Palestine: Efforts to Release Marwan Barghouti

Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti attends a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court (file photo: Reuters)
Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti attends a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court (file photo: Reuters)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas along with several international and regional parties have increased efforts to release Fatah official Marwan Barghouti from an Israeli jail, an informed Palestinian source said.

But the source said there hasn’t been any breakthrough yet.

The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abbas is pressing to ensure his release, adding that Egypt is also exerting efforts.

Egypt believes his release could contribute to ending inter-Palestinian division, according to the source.

Fatah official Hatem Abdel Qader said Egypt strongly encourages the release of Barghouti and his inclusion in any future swap deal. He added that former Egyptian intelligence official Omar Suleiman made efforts to release the jailed Palestinian official in the previous deal.

Barghouti is a member of Fatah’s Central Committee and has been held in Israeli prisons since April 14, 2002 on charges of leading al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah’s military arm.

Israel has sentenced Barghouti to five years in prison in addition to another 40-year sentence.

During the movement’s seventh congress, Barghouti received the highest votes; 930 out of about 1,100 votes.

Several Fatah officials nominated Barghouti to become Abbas’ deputy even while in prison, but the Palestinian president appointed Mahmoud al-Aloul.

Many of his supporters were angered that Barghouti was not appointed because they believed that putting him in the post would increase pressure for his release.

Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Marwan's name was actually floated during discussions on choosing a vice-president in the Central Committee meetings, but the members strongly objected for several reasons, including the move being impractical because he is detained.

Abbas and Fatah officials recently met Fadwa Barghouti, Marwan’s wife. She is also a member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah Movement and received the highest votes during the council’s elections.

A Fatah official told Asharq Al-Awsat the movement will remain united despite disagreements, adding that there might not be a named successor to Abbas, but there is no urgent need to resolve this issue.

He stated how the situation was far more complicated when choosing a successor to late President Yasser Arafat. However, Fatah later united and agreed on a candidate.



Lebanon Ministry Says Two Dead in Israeli Strike on South

28 March 2025, Lebanon, Khiam: Heavy smoke billows from areas that were bombed by Israeli Forces in the southern Lebanese border town of Khiam. (dpa)
28 March 2025, Lebanon, Khiam: Heavy smoke billows from areas that were bombed by Israeli Forces in the southern Lebanese border town of Khiam. (dpa)
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Lebanon Ministry Says Two Dead in Israeli Strike on South

28 March 2025, Lebanon, Khiam: Heavy smoke billows from areas that were bombed by Israeli Forces in the southern Lebanese border town of Khiam. (dpa)
28 March 2025, Lebanon, Khiam: Heavy smoke billows from areas that were bombed by Israeli Forces in the southern Lebanese border town of Khiam. (dpa)

Lebanon's health ministry said two people were killed Sunday in an Israeli strike on the country's south, as Israel said it hit Hezbollah operatives amid a fragile truce.

The toll in the "strike launched by the Israeli enemy on the town of Zibqin rose to two dead", the health ministry said in a statement, adding that the toll was final after earlier reporting one dead.

The Israeli military said it carried out an air strike targeting two Hezbollah operatives in the Zibqin area, adding in a statement that they were "attempting to rebuild Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites".

A fragile ceasefire in late November largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, but Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon.

The latest raid came after visiting US deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus discussed the situation in south Lebanon with senior officials on Saturday.

On Friday, Israel killed a commander of Palestinian group Hamas in a pre-dawn raid in the south Lebanese port city of Sidon that also killed his adult son and daughter.

A day earlier, Israel's military said it carried out an air strike targeting a Hezbollah member in south Lebanon.

On Tuesday, Israel struck south Beirut, killing a Hezbollah Palestinian liaison officer, in only the second raid on the capital since the November 27 ceasefire.

Lebanon's health ministry reported four dead in that strike, including a woman.

Under the truce, Hezbollah was to redeploy its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

Israel was to withdraw its forces across the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, but has missed two deadlines to do so and continues to hold five positions in south Lebanon that it deems "strategic".