Marwan Barghouti

Officials in the main Palestinian faction, Fatah, say jailed leader Marwan Barghouti has decided to run for Palestinian president.

But it remains unclear if the senior Fatah member will run as an independent. The outspoken leader is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for the murder of five Israelis.

News of his intention to run surfaced Thursday, the same day that Fatah leaders confirmed former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas as their candidate in the January 9 election. Barghouti had earlier said he would not run if Fatah chose Mr. Abbas as its candidate.

In other developments, the Israeli army says two senior Hamas members were killed and a third wounded during an arrest operation in the West Bank town of Hebron.

Story supplied by: VOAnews