RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A popular Palestinian uprising leader imprisoned by Israel submitted on Wednesday an independent list of candidates to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections, dealing a tough blow to President Mahmoud Abbas.

The last-minute move by Marwan Barghouti could severely weaken the prospects of Abbas’ Fatah party and boost the prospects of the Islamic militant Hamas group.

Nasser Kidweh, a supporter of Barghouti, confirmed the filing just before a midnight deadline.

The election is scheduled for May.