Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on 7/12 that the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, signed in early October, was nearing completion, with the second phase expected to begin soon. This subsequent phase would involve disarming Hamas, Israel's continued withdrawal from Gaza, the establishment of a transitional government in the Strip, and the deployment of international forces to stabilize the situation.

These developments offer hope for an end to the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine. However, they also raise the crucial question of who is suitable to govern the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza, in the aftermath.

Before the conflict, Hamas controlled Gaza, while the Palestinian Authority, led by 90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas, managed the West Bank and represented Palestinians in diplomatic relations. It remains unclear if President Abbas has identified a suitable successor.

An opinion poll conducted in October indicated that Palestinians place their trust in Marwan Barghouti, the 66-year-old Fatah leader imprisoned in Israel. Barghouti garnered 49% support, followed by Hamas representative Khalid Mishal with 36%, and President Abbas with 13%.

Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti (center) being escorted to court in Jerusalem in 1/2012. Photo: Reuters

Barghouti was born in 6/1959 in Kobar village, near the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, which was then under Jordanian control. In 1967, Israeli soldiers pushed back Jordanian forces from the West Bank during the 6-day war and occupied the territory.

At 15 years old, Barghouti joined Fatah, the leading Palestinian political movement, which Israel had outlawed. He recognized that non-violent means alone could not end the occupation. In 1978, Israeli forces arrested him on charges of being a member of an armed Palestinian organization. He used his over 4 years in prison to learn Hebrew.

After his release in 1983, Barghouti studied history and political science at Birzeit University in the West Bank. He continued his political activism, building support for Fatah among Palestinian youth. In 1987, when the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising) erupted, Israel deported Barghouti to Jordan.

Barghouti returned to the West Bank in 1994 and graduated from university. He supported the peace process based on a two-state solution but remained skeptical of Israel's commitments. In the same year, he became the secretary-general of Fatah. In 1995, he established Tanzim, Fatah's armed wing, to counterbalance Hamas, an armed group that advocated violence to resolve the Israel-Palestine issue.

In 1996, Barghouti was elected as a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Palestinian Authority's legislative body. He earned the respect of many factional leaders and maintained regular contact with peace-oriented Israeli politicians and officials.

In 9/2000, the second Intifada began. Barghouti led marches to Israeli checkpoints, inspiring Palestinians with speeches, and began to advocate the use of force to compel Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza.

Fatah saw the emergence of another armed wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. This group carried out attacks targeting Israeli soldiers, including a suicide bombing that killed 30 people in 3/2002. Israel launched a retaliatory operation, pursuing Barghouti, believing he was involved with al-Aqsa.

Israeli soldiers tracked Barghouti's phone and arrested him in 4/2002. Barghouti was tried on charges of masterminding several deadly attacks and received 5 life sentences. He refused to offer a defense, stating he did not recognize the court's legitimacy.

In a report on the trial, Simon Foreman, a legal expert appointed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, stated that most people he interviewed believed the verdict "was influenced by media pressure and political calculations, rather than based on a strict legal process".

Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti speaking in the West Bank in 1/2001. Photo: AFP

During his imprisonment, Barghouti continued his political activities, persuading Palestinian armed groups to cease hostilities. This helped the second Intifada subside from 6/2003 until Israel assassinated a Hamas leader in August of the same year.

In 2006, Barghouti, along with other Palestinian factional leaders imprisoned in Israel, drafted a document that called for the establishment of a Palestinian State based on pre-1967 borders and the repatriation of Palestinian refugees. In 2007, he helped establish the Mecca Agreement, aiming to form a unity government for Palestinians.

In a 2014 media interview, Barghouti argued that continued negotiations with Israel were meaningless without genuine support from the international community. He dedicated his time in prison to further his knowledge, reading an average of 7-8 books per month and teaching fellow Palestinian prisoners.

Barghouti's family reports that Israel's treatment of him worsened after Hamas's attack on southern Israel caused significant casualties in 10/2023.

"They came for Barghouti. Right in front of other prisoners, the Ofer prison warden made him kneel, with his hands behind his back, but he refused", Arab, Barghouti's son, told the Washington Post. "And then they attacked him".

"Barghouti's clothes were soaked with blood when he returned to his cell", former Palestinian prisoner Ayham Fouad Kammamji recounted to the International Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti, an international campaign advocating for Barghouti's release.

In a video posted by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in August, Barghouti appeared with sunken eyes and prominent collarbones. Minister Ben Gvir warned that Israel would eliminate anyone harming its people and that Tel Aviv would not be subdued. When Barghouti responded, his words were unclear. This was the first time images of Barghouti had surfaced in 14 years.

The Israel Prison Service (IPS) affirmed that all inmates are detained according to legal procedures and their rights are ensured. IPS has no record of incidents matching the allegations mentioned.

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Marwan Barghouti (white shirt, right) in a video posted by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on 15/8. Video: X/itamarbengvir

US President Donald Trump mentioned in late October the possibility of including Barghouti in a list of Israeli prisoners for exchange with Hamas. Barghouti's family stated that Israel had opposed this idea.

"Israel doesn't want to release him", commented Khaled Elgindy, a researcher at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, US. "They consider Barghouti to have 'blood on his hands' and understand that this prisoner could unite the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to avoid giving Palestinians hope and confidence that they could have such a leader".

Despite international calls, the Israeli government has shown almost no sign of changing its stance on Barghouti's release.

"I believe there needs to be a US president who genuinely believes this is in the long-term interest of both Israel and Palestine, and is willing to pursue it", Elgindy noted. "Barghouti's release might only be feasible if Israel changes its leadership to someone who understands that a unified Palestine is actually a good thing, not a threat".

By Nhu Tam (According to Washington Post, Al Jazeera)