US, Israel and Palestinian Authority oppose release of Marwan Barghouti: Report

Quoting private sources, Arabi21 says that the US oppose the release of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti from Israeli custody, in response to Israel's request to keep him behind bars.

Barghouti, a prominent member of Fatah and regarded as a leading Palestinian political figure, has been imprisoned since 2002. Hamas reportedly want him freed as part of a hostage exchange deal with Israel.

Arabi21 says that American and Israeli refusal to release him stems from the physical assaults he has been subjected to by Israeli prison guards lately, which they say have put his life at risk.

The outlet says that the Palestinian Authority would also prefer for Barghouti to remain in prison, as President Mahmoud Abbas worries his release might cause divisions within Fatah and threaten his authority.