Mustafa Barghouti denies veracity of circulating statement about his meeting with head of Israeli Shin Bet, Ronen Bar

A statement attributed to the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, has been circulating on WhatsApp groups regarding his meeting with the head of the Israeli Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, to coordinate the day after the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. The statement stated that Barghouti confirmed that he met by chance with the head of the Israeli Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, accompanied by friends of the Palestinian people from Italy, France, and America, and that the conversation that took place between him and Ronen Bar was general and analytical and was not about the future of the Palestine.

Kashif verified the statement and found that it was fabricated. The Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, refuted the statement and confirmed that it was fabricated. He added: “He has been banned by the Israeli occupation from entering Jerusalem and the Palestinian interior for years, and there is no truth to everything mentioned in these fabricated statements.”

Netanyahu ‘s office issued a statement on 19/12/2024 saying that the conditions for concluding a prisoner exchange deal had developed after the efforts made, as the families were informed of this. The statement added: “Israel demands the release of the largest number of living prisoners during the first phase of the agreement, while Hamas rejects this condition.” On 17/12/2024, Hamas announced that it confirms, in light of the serious discussions taking place in Doha, that: “Reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement is possible if the Israeli occupation stops setting new conditions.”