Who Are the 5 Dangerous Terrorists Hamas Is Ready to Surrender for?

International News: In a major diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared a comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at ending the ongoing Gaza war and securing the release of all hostages. As part of the plan’s first phase, crucial talks are set to take place in Egypt on Monday between Hamas and Israel to finalize a hostage agreement. During these negotiations, Hamas is expected to press for the release of several notorious Palestinian terrorists whom Israel has long refused to free — raising tensions around an already fragile peace process. 

Who are the 5 ruthless terrorists?

Citing Hamas sources, Channel 12 reported that Hamas’s demands include the release of these terrorists.

1. Marwan Barghouti is the leader of Fatah Tanzim, who was involved in planning three terrorist attacks during the Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising). Five Israeli civilians were killed in those attacks. For this reason Barghouti was sentenced to five life terms.
2. Ahmad Saadat leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), who conspired to assassinate Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi in 2001. He is serving a 30-year sentence.
3. Ibrahim Hamed Hamas’s West Bank commander, who is responsible for the killings of several Israelis.
4. Abbas al-Sayed the mastermind of the 2002 Park Hotel bombing in Netanya, in which 39 Israelis were killed.
5. Hassan Salameh involved in plotting several suicide attacks.

Media reports says that, Hamas is so eager for the release of these ruthless terrorists that it has decided to base the entire deal on their release. Hamas says it will not back down from the release of these prisoners, even if it puts the agreement at risk. Currently 303 prisoners in Israel are serving life sentences.

Demand to free the Nukhba force

A source-less report in the Times of Israel stated that Hamas is also demanding that Israel release those terrorists from Hamas’s elite Nukhba force who participated in the October 7, 2023 attacks. But Israel has repeatedly rejected this demand. In a conversation with Channel 12, Agriculture Minister and former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter hinted that Israel might be prepared to release some convicted terrorists, but he expressed doubt about releasing those who took part in the October 7 attacks.

What are Hamas’s demands?

According to Channel 12, Hamas also wants a guarantee of the full withdrawal of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) from Gaza. It wants a timeline set for the withdrawal. Channel 12 further reported that the Hamas negotiating team led by Khalil al-Hayya will also speak with a team from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to ensure that the post-war Gaza system is built with the inclusion of the Palestinian Authority.