Dhaka, Oct. 11 -- Israel has excluded Marwan Barghouti - the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader - from the roster of prisoners it intends to free under the new Gaza ceasefire deal, officials said Saturday. Jerusalem also rejected other high-profile names long sought by Hamas, though it was not immediately clear whether the list of roughly 250 inmates published Friday is final.

Hamas negotiator Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the group continues to press for Barghouti's release and remains in talks with mediators. Israel regards Barghouti as a terrorist leader; he is serving multiple life terms after a 2004 conviction over attacks that killed five people.

Beyond his convictions, Israeli officials are said to fear ...