Kathmandu— Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly shared footage from a prison holding Palestinian women, explicitly taking credit for the harsh treatment they are receiving. The video, posted on his social media account Sunday, depicts Ben-Gvir confronting prisoners about their complaints regarding inadequate hygiene and medical care, responding that improved conditions were over and he was “pleased” with the current state of affairs. Palestinian groups have strongly condemned the move as intimidation and a deliberate attempt to humiliate detainees.

Minister Boasts of Austere Conditions

Ben-Gvir’s video shows him entering a section housing female prisoners and directly questioning them about their grievances. One prisoner informs him that they have gone three days without showers, lack medical attention, and are not provided with clean clothing. Ben-Gvir responds by stating he is responsible for the current conditions and expressing satisfaction with them. He accompanied the video with a post asserting that complaints from prisoners would not sway his policies, drawing a parallel to the treatment of Israeli captives held in Gaza.

Palestinian Condemnation

The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs in Gaza denounced Ben-Gvir’s visit as a deliberate act of intimidation and humiliation. The commission argued that his presence was not an inspection, but rather a “political spectacle” intended to break the prisoners' will through public exposure. They characterized Ben-Gvir’s remarks as evidence of a systematic policy of retaliation within Israeli prisons involving humiliation, torture, starvation, and deprivation. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society also condemned the footage, describing it as an assault on the prisoners’ human dignity and citing numerous testimonies documenting abuses within Israeli detention facilities.

Escalating Policy of Restriction

Since assuming his position in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has actively advocated for stricter conditions for Palestinian prisoners. These efforts have included reducing access to food and water, limiting family visits, curtailing shower times, and removing privileges within prison sections. He has also overseen the transfer of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners between facilities. In 2025, he publicly opposed a court ruling mandating adequate food provisions for prisoners, insisting on maintaining harsh conditions.

Prisoner Population

According to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, approximately 9,400 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons. This includes 88 women and over 350 children.

Ben-Gvir has indicated he will continue to pursue a policy of minimal provisions for Palestinian prisoners, signaling no immediate change in the current conditions.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.