The U.S. has openly supported this new condition and noted that this could pave the way for new leadership in the West Bank and Gaza, given that Barghouti has broad support. According to a Sky News report, there were indications that the mediators and the U.S. expressed support for Barghouti’s release in exchange for the hostages already in the first phase. The U.S. openly supported the idea of "renewed leadership" for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The call for Barghouti's release is allegedly linked to Hamas's concerns about its ability to maintain control over the Gaza Strip, with fears that a more moderate administration might emerge in its place. The release of Barghouti could be a way to preserve influence, as he has significant support in Gaza and the West Bank. In May, Maariv reported, referencing the Asharq Al-Awsat channel, that Israel was no longer opposed to Barghouti's release but insisted that he be freed to Gaza rather than the West Bank.
Barghouti, a former leader of the Tanzim, a militant faction of the Palestinian Fatah movement, was sentenced in 2004 by an Israeli court to five consecutive life sentences and 40 years in prison for terrorist activities that resulted in the deaths of five Israelis and many more injuries.
