Palestinians denounce Israeli minister Ben-Gvir’s threats against jailed Hamas figure

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted footage on social media showing him taunting Hassan Salama, a Hamas prisoner serving multiple life sentences, including for attacks in 1996. In the video, Ben-Gvir threatens Salama with death, saying “I want to kill you” and calls for his execution. The footage was reportedly taken two weeks before its publication on September 27.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Palestinian groups condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions sharply. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs called the video an example of “degradation and depravity,” with the head, Raed Abu al-Hummus, describing conditions inside Israeli prisons as “organised terrorism.” The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office called it a “cheap political and electoral stunt” ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections and stressed that authorities are responsible for Salama’s life.

Hamas said the threats signal “new crimes” against Palestinian detainees and reaffirmed their commitment to securing prisoner releases. The video aligns with Ben-Gvir’s known record of incendiary rhetoric and hardline policies towards Palestinian prisoners, including previous incidents where he publicly threatened detainees and called for executions.

Known from the source

• Footage shows Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting Hamas prisoner Hassan Salama in his cell and threatening him with death.
• Hassan Salama is serving multiple life sentences for attacks including bus bombings in 1996, according to the supplied source.
• Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and Palestinian Prisoners Media Office condemned the footage and conditions in Israeli prisons.
• Israel’s Knesset approved a death penalty law for specific Palestinian prisoners in March, supported by Ben-Gvir and his party Jewish Power.
• Ben-Gvir has previously threatened Palestinian prisoners publicly and called for their execution.

What remains unclear

In March, Israel’s Knesset passed legislation allowing the death penalty for certain Palestinian prisoners, a move strongly supported by Ben-Gvir and his party Jewish Power. The law does not extend to Jewish Israelis and has drawn regional criticism for its implications. Ben-Gvir has also advocated plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank through voluntary migration schemes and has promoted expanding Jewish settlements in occupied territories.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify the timing of the footage showing Ben-Gvir and Salama to confirm it was taken two weeks ago as stated. Confirm Hassan Salama’s prisoner status and the charges against him independently if possible. Check for corroboration of the claim regarding Ben-Gvir’s calls for execution and other prison threats beyond the footage.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.