Amidst the ongoing fierce war between Israel and Hamas, there were reports that there could be a four-week ceasefire between the two before Ramadan.
Despite American claims, the benefits of this agreement seem to be very little. The reason is Hamas and Israel imposing their demands on each other.
Hamas is adamant that Israel completely stop attacks on Gaza city and ensure the release of Palestinians imprisoned in it.
Hamas has also lobbied for the release of prisoners by Marwan al-Barghouti, a leading Fatah movement leader who is said to be the next Palestinian president.
In the ongoing talks with Hamas regarding ceasefire, Israel has bluntly said that it will not stop attacks on Gaza city under any circumstances.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu is continuously reiterating his vow that the war will not end until every Hamas henchman is eliminated.
The massacre of Israeli soldiers continues in Gaza city. At least 30 thousand people have been killed in this war from Gaza city alone. There are more women and children in this.
Hamas adamant on Barghouti’s release
Through America and Qatar, talks are going on between Hamas and Israel regarding ceasefire before Ramadan.
The prospect of Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Israeli civilians has put Marwan al-Barghouti, the leader of the Fatah movement, in the spotlight.
According to BBC Urdu report, in recent days his name has come up as a possible new President of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas says that under any new agreement on the exchange of prisoners and hostages, they should be released at all costs.
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan told BBC Arabic that ‘as a movement we have taken a clear stance, which we still stand by.
All Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails should be released without any conditions. Osama Hamdan said that ‘We consider it a national mission that any prisoner who has sacrificed for Palestine should be treated equally.’ We did the same in Operation Wafa-ul-Ahrar.
It is noteworthy that Hamas uses the name Wafa al-Ahrar for the 2006 Israeli military Gilad Shalit and Palestinian prisoner exchange operation.
Who is Barghouti?
According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, in February last year, the Israeli prison administration received information that Marwan al-Barghouti was trying to create unrest in Western Jordan through various means and after this Israel put him in solitary confinement.
Marwan al-Barghouti began his political activities at the age of 15 by joining the Fatah movement. Yasser Arafat was then the head of the Fatah movement.
As his political career progressed, he increased his advocacy for the Palestinian cause.