Israel's Ben-Gvir Urges Death Penalty for Palestinian Prisoners in Controversial Video

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has sparked international outrage by posting videos of himself standing over bound Palestinian prisoners while calling for the death penalty for terrorists, specifically targeting Hamas's elite Nukhba unit responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks. Ben Gvir, a far-right figure and chairman of the Otzma Yehudit party, has boasted about imposing harsh detention conditions on Palestinian inmates, claiming these measures have reduced attacks and instilled fear among prisoners. His public threats and confrontations, including with prominent detainees like Marwan Barghouti, have been condemned by human rights organizations as degrading and unlawful, with concerns about torture, abuse, and detention without charge since October 2023. The International Committee of the Red Cross remains banned from visiting Palestinian prisoners, a decision defended by Israel's Defense Minister as a security measure. Ben Gvir has also threatened to withdraw support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition if his death penalty bill is not brought to a parliamentary vote soon, signaling potential political repercussions. These actions have raised fears of escalating tensions and worsening conditions amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups.