Read previewHamas is demanding that Israel releases the high-profile Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti amid tense cease-fire talks, The Associated Press reported. As the most well-known prisoner held by Israel and a potential future Palestinian president, Barghouti's freedom is at the center of negotiations. AdvertisementAccording to the think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations, Barghouti is "often described by Palestinians as the 'Palestinian Mandela.'" He is the most popular politician among Palestinians, ahead of Abbas and Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh, according to an opinion poll published in December. Israel is demanding that Hamas releases over 100 hostages, while the latter is calling for Israel to cease its offensive and release thousands of prisoners.

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Persons: —, Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian Mandela, Mahmoud Abbas, Nelson Mandela, Barghouti, Mohamad Torokman, Abbas, Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Israel, Associated Press, Business, Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, West Bank, European Council, Foreign Relations, Fatah, REUTERS Locations: Israel, Palestinian, South Africa, Ramallah, Gaza