Hamas Decries Alleged Abuse of Palestinian Detainees in ‘israeli’ Prison, Labels It ‘New War Crime’

In a statement released on Saturday, Hamas condemned footage released by what they termed the “criminal Zionist occupation,” depicting mistreatment of detainees at Ofer prison. The incidents were reportedly overseen by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Hamas described these actions as a new war crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian laws related to prisoners.

On Friday, Ben-Gvir forcefully entered Ofer Prison, located west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, during a visit characterized by reports of intimidation and mistreatment of Palestinian inmates.

During a recent tour, Trump criticized the changes implemented in the prison system as “insufficient” and vowed to advocate for legislation that would permit the execution of Palestinian captors.

Ben-Gvir emphasized the stark reality of the facility, stating, “This is not a luxury hotel. It is a real prison,” while voicing his approval of what he termed a “fundamental change” in the conditions of detention.

Hamas has criticized the international community for its silence on alleged crimes against its prisoners, claiming that this inaction, coupled with the enactment of a death penalty law, emboldens what they describe as the fascist occupation to persist with its harsh practices within prisons. The group characterized these actions as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

The group stated that the physical and psychological torture experienced by prisoners demands that the international community, including all its institutions and governments, address their humanitarian, ethical, and legal obligations to restrain the occupation and halt the crimes occurring within prisons.

The statement has urged immediate measures at every level to safeguard incarcerated individuals, confront the ongoing occupation, and ensure accountability for its actions. It emphasized the Palestinians’ unwavering commitment to their cause until freedom is achieved.

The situation for Palestinian detainees has reportedly worsened significantly during Ben-Gvir’s term, as stringent restrictions and widespread mistreatment have been documented. Various rights organizations have reported systematic torture, sexual violence, starvation, and medical neglect occurring within the prison system.

Recent data indicates that Israeli prisons currently house over 9,300 Palestinian detainees, among them approximately 350 minors.