Trump considered release of Palestinian arch-terrorist Barghouti from Israeli prison in Gaza ceasefire agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had considered supporting the release of Marwan Barghouti – a convicted terrorist viewed by many Palestinians as a potential unifying leader – as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

The discussion was reportedly part of the negotiations over which prisoners would be released in exchange for the Israeli hostages. Hamas has long demanded the release of Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for orchestrating multiple terror attacks.

U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio was asked about the same issue during his visit to Israel on Friday. “I have nothing new to give you on this topic,” he told reporters.

In an interview with Time magazine on Oct. 15, published on Thursday, Trump was asked whom he views as a leader among the Palestinians.

“They don't have a leader right now, at least a visible leader, and they don't really want to, because every one of those leaders has been shot and killed. It’s not a hot job,” he replied.

The interviewer then mentioned Barghouti, who he said “is seen by many as the one figure who could unite Palestinians behind a two-state solution."

"He tops most polls amongst Palestinians for whom they would vote for in a presidential election. But he's in prison, and Israel has refused to let him out,” the journalist stated, adding, “He was arrested in 2002. Ron Lauder, a big supporter of yours, recently encouraged Israel to let him out. Do you think Israel should release him from prison?”

Trump responded, “I am literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called. That was the question. That was my question of the day. So I'll be making a decision.“

Barghouti’s name has reportedly been mentioned during ceasefire discussions over the past two years, and he regularly tops opinion polls of the most popular Palestinian leaders. Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas is elderly and widely seen as a corrupt dictator.

Recent reports indicate that Barghouti’s release was supported not only by Hamas but also by World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, who allegedly offered to travel to Egypt to personally advocate for including Barghouti in the deal, according to a senior Arab official, an Israeli official, and a third source familiar with the matter cited by The Times of Israel.

However, Israel has strongly rejected calls to free Barghouti, and the idea was dismissed this time by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office amid “overwhelming opposition” among Israeli cabinet ministers, the sources said.

Hamas’ motivation to secure Barghouti’s release – though he is not a member of the group but was affiliated with Fatah’s militant wing, the Tanzim – is likely driven by a desire to boost its prestige by freeing a popular leader and gaining his indebtedness.

A source quoted by The Times of Israel said Hamas told mediators that “Barghouti’s fate remains absolutely central to these talks.” An Arab official stated, “While Hamas pushed hard for his release, ultimately it could not be seen as holding up a ceasefire over one man.”

Among Arab leaders and many on the Israeli and international Left, Barghouti is regarded as a Mandela-like figure for his perceived ability to unify Palestinian factions and for his English-language statements rejecting violence against Israeli civilians while expressing support for a two-state solution.

Former Shin Bet chief and Labor Party member, Ami Ayalon, advocated for Barghouti’s release in 2024, arguing he “is the only Palestinian leader who can be elected and lead a united and legitimate Palestinian leadership toward a path of mutually agreed separation from Israel.”

However, Barghouti called for “global and armed resistance” as late as 2014, and urged Palestinian leaders to “put an immediate end to security cooperation” with Israel.

Barghouti played a key role during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, and in May 2004, he was convicted for involvement in five murders, receiving five life sentences.

One of the leading voices opposing Barghouti’s release from jail is National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is responsible for Israel's prison system.

אני קורא הבוקר שכל מיני "גורמים בכירים" ברשות לא כ"כ אהבו את מה שאמרתי לארכי מחבל מרואן ברגותי ימ"ש

אז אני אחזור על זה שוב ושוב בלי להתנצל - מי שיתעסק עם עם ישראל, מי שירצח לנו ילדים, מי שירצח לנו נשים, אנחנו נמחק אותו. בעזרת השם. pic.twitter.com/pp1BNqF58M

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) August 15, 2025

In August, Ben Gvir drew criticism from across the political spectrum after publishing a 13-second video of himself berating Barghouti, in the first footage showing the 66-year-old man in over a decade.

“You won’t win. Whoever messes with the nation of Israel, whoever murders our children and women, we will wipe them out. You should know this, [this happened] throughout history,” Ben Gvir told him.

On Thursday, he responded to Trump by noting he had “great appreciation” for the president, while noting, “Israel is an independent sovereign state – the Members of Knesset vote according to their judgment. And Barghouti is a despicable Nazi murderer, with the blood of many civilians, women, and children on his hands. He will not be released and will not lead Gaza.”