Ben-Gvir’s prison raid exposes depth of Israel’s ‘fascism, depravity’: Hamas

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Israel’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s latest visit to a prison holding Palestinian women, saying he is exploiting their suffering for political purposes and urging international action over the treatment of Palestinian detainees. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas said Ben-Gvir’s “raid on the cells of Palestinian female prisoners,” which was filmed and circulated on social media, “reflects the extent of fascism and political and moral depravity.” The group went on to say that Ben-Gvir’s appearance inside the prisoners’ cells exposed a “vengeful, terrorist mindset” among Israeli leaders. It also warned that Israeli prisons must not become “open arenas for violations, humiliation, threats, torture, and murder,” adding that Israeli officials are using prisoners’ suffering as “cheap electoral propaganda.” Hamas further noted that the international community, the United Nations and human rights organizations had failed to take effective steps against Israeli officials, arguing that the lack of accountability had allowed violations to become routine. “The verbal statements of condemnation remain fruitless, as long as the occupation continues its crimes without accountability or deterrent punishment,” it said. The group also called on Palestinian factions, rights organizations, media outlets and supporters around the world to increase attention on the situation of Palestinian prisoners and push for accountability for those responsible. “We emphasize that these crimes require effective action at all levels to support their cause and put an end to their suffering,” it said. Hamas condemns ‘criminal behavior’ of Ben-Gvir after Barghouti visit Hamas has condemned far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to a prison cell of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. The statement came after Ben-Gvir released a video showing him speaking to Palestinian women held in an Israeli prison. One of the detainees complained about poor conditions, including a lack of showers, medical treatment and clean clothing. Ben-Gvir rejected her request for improved conditions, saying the previously “good conditions” in Israeli prisons were over. He also said he was responsible for the conditions in the prisons, describing complaints from Palestinian detainees as “whining.” The Israeli minister has repeatedly drawn criticism over his treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Earlier this month, he was filmed confronting another female detainee who complained about inadequate conditions and basic necessities, telling her that “prison is not a hotel.” Since becoming so-called security minister in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has pushed for tougher detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners, with Palestinian and human rights organizations accusing Israeli authorities of restricting food, medical care and other basic needs and of using solitary confinement and other punitive measures. According to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports cited in the statement, around 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including about 94 women and more than 350 children.