Since his arrest more than two decades ago, Fatah Secretary-General Marwan Barghouti has not stopped being talked about as the leader who can bring order to the West Bank and even Gaza, at the end of the Yasser Arafat era. He was then labeled as the next young leader of the Palestinian people, partly because of his good relations with the Israeli leadership, right and left.
Now, in the wake of the events and atrocities in the southern settlements, talk of a barter deal is already beginning. In my assessment, based on past experience, negotiations are already underway between Israel and Hamas, of course with the involvement of a third party, which will lead to the release of all security prisoners sentenced to life sentences in Israeli jails, in exchange for the release of all civilians and soldiers held in Gaza.
Hamas is trying to set the tone, but it is doubtful whether it will succeed in translating the "success" vis-à-vis Israel into internal Palestinian success, since its challenge is twofold. Some 6,000 Palestinian prisoners are imprisoned in Israel, 70 percent of whom are Fatah members, hated by Hamas, 5 percent by Islamic Jihad, and about 25 percent by Hamas.
With the progress of the barter deal, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners, Hamas will want to prove to the Arab world that it is being persecuted from place to place and restricting their movement and even entry into the borders of various countries, that the organization succeeded where the Palestinian Authority and Fatah members have failed since the signing of the Oslo Accords.
No matter how much destruction Hamas brought to Gaza in the October 2023 massacre, the picture of the prisoners' release will be equal to any price paid. Israel should pay attention to this point.
The leadership in Israel, i.e., the current right-wing government – which is likely to sign a prisoner and prisoner exchange deal and empty all Israeli prisons of Palestinian prisoners – must turn the worst crisis in the history of the state into a historic opportunity to promote reconciliation between the two peoples, the Jewish and the Palestinian
One of the prisoners who will be released is Marwan Barghouti, nicknamed "Mandila Palestine." His release would be an existential threat because of his popularity and sweeping leadership, which surpasses that of any other leader on the ground today, such as Hussein al-Sheikh.
Barghouti is known for his great hatred of Hamas, but upon his release by Hamas he will remain indebted to them the price of his freedom, which could affect relations and ties with the organization if he is released and occupies key positions in the West Bank and perhaps Gaza.
Therefore, the leadership in Israel, i.e., the current right-wing government – which is likely to sign a prisoner and prisoner exchange deal and empty all Israeli prisons of Palestinian prisoners – must turn the worst crisis in the history of the state into a historic opportunity to promote reconciliation between the two peoples, the Jewish and the Palestinian.
Israel will undoubtedly pay the heavy price. So if you already pay - at least promote reconciliation and promote a peace agreement. Israel can take advantage of global identification to provide guarantees for its security.
Peace or reconciliation agreements never occur naturally, but in the wake of major events, wars and difficult conflicts. Perhaps this war is the culmination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and through it it is possible to reach understandings, calm and peace that will ensure security for Israel and liberation from control for the Palestinians.
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