Hamas condemns Ben-Gvir after threat to kill Palestinian political prisoner

• Ben-Gvir said in a video that he wanted to kill and execute Hassan Salameh, who is serving multiple life sentences.
• Hamas said the threat would not weaken Salameh or other Palestinian political prisoners and called it a violation of international law.

Hamas condemned ‘Israeli’ National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Monday after he posted a video threatening to kill Palestinian political prisoner Hassan Salameh.

In the video, Ben-Gvir is seen confronting Salameh inside an ‘Israeli’ prison and saying: “I want to kill you. I want to put you to death.” 

Ben-Gvir said the footage was recorded during a prison visit about two weeks earlier.

Hamas described the video as “provocative” and said it constituted a “flagrant violation of all international laws”.

The group said the threat would not weaken Salameh’s resolve or that of other Palestinian political prisoners, adding that it would continue efforts to secure their release.

“We remain committed to this pledge until they attain their freedom,” Hamas said, according to the statement.

Salameh has been imprisoned since 1996 and is serving multiple life sentences over his role in a series of attacks that year, including the bombing of two Jerusalem buses that killed 45 people, according to ‘Israeli’ sources.

Ben-Gvir has repeatedly advocated tougher treatment of Palestinian political prisoners and has backed legislation allowing the death penalty for detainees. The Knesset approved the legislation in March 2026.

In a post accompanying the video, Ben-Gvir also said that if he becomes defence minister in the next government, he would work to have prisoners such as Salameh executed and advance what he calls “voluntary migration” from Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Read more: Ben-Gvir threatens to execute Palestinian detainee