Israel does not intend to release prominent Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti as part of an agreement reached with Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli government spokesperson says.

“I can tell you at this point in time that he will not be part of this release,” spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian tells reporters.

Barghouti is serving five life sentences for his part in planning terror attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.

Earlier, Israel and Hamas agreed in indirect talks that the 48 hostages held by terrorists in Gaza would be released in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including security prisoners.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.