Palestinians condemn Ben-Gvir's prison video threat to kill Hamas inmate

September 28, 2026 at 03:11 PM2 min

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Palestinian officials condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he posted footage threatening to kill jailed Hamas figure Hassan Salama. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs called prison conditions 'organised terrorism'. Hamas said the threat signals new crimes against detainees.

Key Facts

Ben-Gvir posted footage on X showing him telling Salama, 'I want to kill you... I want you executed,' while surrounded by Israeli security forces.
Salama is serving multiple life sentences for his role in Hamas-orchestrated attacks in 1996, including bus bombings.
The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office called Ben-Gvir's actions 'a cheap political and electoral stunt' before Israel's October 27 elections.
Israel's Knesset approved legislation in March allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in certain cases, a measure backed by Ben-Gvir.

The Video

Ben-Gvir uploaded footage in a lengthy post on X on Sunday showing him inside the cell of Salama, who has been imprisoned by Israel for 30 years. According to Ben-Gvir, the video was taken two weeks ago. In the footage, Ben-Gvir told Salama, 'I want to kill you... I want you executed,' while surrounded by Israeli security forces. Ben-Gvir also repeated his calls for the execution of Palestinian prisoners in the video.

Palestinian Reaction

Raed Abu al-Hummus, head of the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, said the footage shows 'degradation and depravity have reached their highest levels'. He added that conditions inside Israeli prisons are 'organised terrorism'. The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office called Ben-Gvir's actions 'a cheap political and electoral stunt' made before Israel's October 27 elections and a 'cowardly act of bullying against a defenceless and handcuffed prisoner'. Hamas said Ben-Gvir's threat to kill Salama 'signals new crimes' against Palestinian detainees, while pledging to continue efforts to secure their release.

Ben-Gvir's Record

In August, Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself entering the prison cells of Palestinian women and boasting about their inadequate conditions. Last year, the minister was seen taunting long-imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti in his jail cell. Israel's Knesset approved legislation in March allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in certain cases, a measure strongly backed by Ben-Gvir and his party, Jewish Power. The law does not permit the death penalty for Jewish Israelis.