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Israeli policy regarding Palestinian detainees
Overview
In July 2026, the Palestinian prisoners’ rights organization Hanazila raised alarms regarding a project proposed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Dubbed the “Crocodile Prison” plan for a desert facility near the Negev, the scheme reportedly involves constructing water channels and using crocodiles as a method of guard control. Hanazila condemned the initiative as a form of “collective punishment” and a breach of international humanitarian law. By August 2026, Ben-Gvir’s focus on detention conditions was highlighted during visits to female Palestinian detainees at Damun Prison. Ben-Gvir expressed satisfaction with harsh living conditions, stating that suffering is ‘expected’ for those he classifies as terrorists and declaring that the era of ‘summer camps’ in prisons has ended. He asserted his responsibility for maintaining conditions at the “bare minimum required by law.” Following these visits, detainees reported being deprived of showering, clean clothing, water, and medical care. Human rights organizations, including the Palestinian Prisoner Club and the Adalah Legal Center, accused Ben-Gvir of using the detainees for “political propaganda” and election campaigning by filming and publishing footage of the encounters. Reports have also emerged regarding a significant escalation in mistreatment, including physical and psychological abuse such as blindfolding and tying detainees behind their backs. Additionally, advocates highlighted a health crisis within the prison system, noting a scabies outbreak in Al-Damun and Ofer prisons. In late September 2026, tensions escalated when Ben-Gvir released video footage of a confrontation with Hassan Salameh, a Hamas member serving multiple life sentences for his role in 1996 suicide bombings. During the encounter, Ben-Gvir told Salameh, “I want to kill you, I want you executed,” and remarked that Salameh would face hell after death.
Entities
Itamar Ben-Gvir · Hamas · Benjamin Netanyahu · Hassan Salameh · Israel
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened Hamas prisoner Hassan Salameh with death during a prison visit.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Ben-Gvir expressed satisfaction with the reduction of prison conditions for Palestinian detainees, comparing them to the treatment of Israeli hostages.
- [● 8 SOURCES] A female prisoner reported that inmates had not showered for three days and lacked access to clean clothing and medical care.
- [● 8 SOURCES] National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated he is personally responsible for the implementation of stricter prison conditions.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Hassan Salameh is serving 46 consecutive life sentences for orchestrating 1996 suicide bombings that killed 48 people.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hamas condemned the video as a political stunt and a threat to the safety of all Palestinian detainees.
- [● 3 SOURCES] In September 2025, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the prison service was not providing sufficient food to detainees.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ben-Gvir stated he would push for the execution of prisoners and the voluntary migration of Palestinians if he becomes defense minister.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Israeli Knesset approved legislation in March allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs condemned the visit as a political spectacle intended to intimidate prisoners.
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesIsrael's Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens Palestinian prisoners with execution
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened Palestinian security prisoners with execution and vowed to tighten prison conditions amid allegations of mistreatment in Israeli jails.
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[POLITICS] 6 sourcesItamar Ben Gvir fined by Israel elections commission
Israel’s elections commission fined National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for using a video of him threatening a Palestinian prisoner as electoral propaganda during his campaign.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 18 sourcesItamar Ben-Gvir threatens Hamas prisoner with execution in video
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released video threatening to execute Hamas prisoner Hassan Salameh, amid calls for harsher prison conditions and Palestinian displacement.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesPalestinian female detainees face systematic abuse at Damun Prison
The Palestine Prisoners Studies Center reports systematic abuse and organized repression of Palestinian female detainees at Damun Prison, allegedly supported by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesItamar Ben-Gvir accused of using female detainees for political propaganda
Human rights groups condemn Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for using female Palestinian detainees at Al-Damun Prison for political propaganda and reporting increased physical and medical mistreatment.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 17 sourcesItamar Ben-Gvir defends harsher conditions for Palestinian female prisoners
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir defended the worsening detention conditions for Palestinian women, stating he is personally responsible for maintaining the bare minimum of services.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesItamar Ben-Gvir visits Palestinian detainees at Damun Prison
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Damun Prison, where he defended harsh conditions for Palestinian female detainees, calling their suffering ‘expected’.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesBen‑Gvir’s “Crocodile Prison” plan for Palestinian detainees warned by rights group
Rights group Hanazila warns that Israeli Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir’s “Crocodile Prison” plan near the Negev, involving water channels and crocodiles, constitutes collective punishment of Palestinian detainees, a
Sources
abc17news.com · aktuality.sk · almanar.com.lb · almanartv.com.lb · alresalah.news · althawrah.ye · arabic.euronews.com · arabnews.pk · athina984.gr · bolgegundem.com · brusselssignal.eu · calabrianews.it · egyptindependent.com · ertnews.gr · europesays.com · gzt.com · ilfattoquotidiano.it · index.hr · inliberta.it · inyheter.no · jamaicainquirer.com · keyt.com · krdo.com · kurir.rs · kvia.com · leprogres.fr · localnews8.com · matzav.com · minanews.net · newarab.com · notiziedi.it · oslobodjenje.ba · parallaximag.gr · presseagence.fr · prv.mk · racin.mk · republika.co.id · sarabic.ae · shms.ps · skopje1.mk · sondakika.com · teleSURtv.net · thecurrent.pk · thepressroom.gr · trn.mk · tuzlapress.ba
This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history