According to Israeli media Hamas demands the release of three top Palestinian leaders in any hostage swap deal with Israel, Anadolu Agency reports.
Hamas insists Marwan Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat and Abdullah Barghouti be on the list of prisoners to be released in any new deal, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.
Barghouti, 64, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, is most favored to chair the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority after President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Palestinian opinion polls.
Barghouti “can change the face of the Palestinian Authority,” the newspaper said.
