Key Palestinian prisoners excluded from Israel’s hostage exchange list

Israeli authorities are finalizing the release of around 1,950 Palestinian prisoners—250 long-term detainees and 1,700 arrested during the war—as part of a high-stakes hostage exchange deal. The releases are happening only after all Israeli hostages safely cross back into Israel. While several prisoners convicted of deadly attacks are included, high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat are excluded. Over half of those freed are being deported to Gaza or abroad, while 115 return to the West Bank and East Jerusalem.