As part of the deal with Hamas, Israel will not release the terrorists involved in the attack on October 7, 2023, as well as those whom it considers leaders of Palestinian terror, including Marwan Barghouti, the Ynet portal reported, citing a source.
“The agreement does not provide for the release of the Nuhba (Hamas unit) terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre. … The four “aces” whose release was demanded by Hamas, including Marwan Barghouti, will not be released,” the portal quoted a source as saying.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the implementation of the first phase of the peace plan for the settlement in the Gaza Strip. In the first stage, Hamas will release the Israeli hostages, and Israel will withdraw its troops to an agreed line inside the enclave and release hundreds of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, including many sentenced to life for terrorism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene a government meeting on Thursday to approve the agreement.
“I thank the brave soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces, thanks to whose courage and sacrifice we have come to this day. From the bottom of my heart, I thank President Trump and his team for their involvement in the holy cause of freeing our hostages. With God’s help, we will continue to achieve all our goals together and expand the circle of peace with our neighbors,” the Prime minister said.
Netanyahu also had a telephone conversation with Trump and invited him to address the Israeli parliament.
“During a very warm and touching conversation, the leaders congratulated each other on the historic achievement of signing an agreement on the release of all hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.