Israel will not include Marwan Barghouti, its most prominent Palestinian detainee, in its hostage-for-prisoner exchange with Hamas.

The 66-year-old is understood to have been at or near the top of the list of detainees Hamas wanted freed as part of a deal that will lead to the release of the last remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Marwan Barghouti during his trial in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2002. Credit: AP

By far the most popular political figure among Palestinians, Barghouti is serving five life sentences after being convicted of orchestrating terror attacks that killed five people in 2001 and 2002. He has been behind bars for more than 23 years.

Despite his conviction, he is viewed as a unifying figure who has long accepted Israel’s right to exist alongside a Palestinian state. His

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