TEL AVIV, August 30, 2026 (WAFA) — Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir boasted that he is directly responsible for imposing harsher conditions on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

He made the remarks while storming the cells of Palestinian women prisoners, according to a video he posted on his X account on Sunday.

The footage shows a female prisoner describing the conditions of detention as extremely poor and saying that prisoners are being denied basic rights and personal necessities. “This is our third day without showering. We are not receiving medical treatment, and our clothes are not clean,” she said.

Ben-Gvir responded boastfully: “The good conditions in the prisons are over. This is the current situation, and I am directly responsible for everything. I am pleased with these conditions.”

This was not the first time Ben-Gvir has entered Palestinian prisoners’ cells to taunt or mock them. Earlier this month, he mocked a female prisoner who complained about harsh detention conditions and the lack of basic necessities.

Since taking office in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has pursued policies aimed at worsening detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including measures involving food deprivation, mistreatment, physical abuse and other forms of abuse, as well as restrictions that have contributed to the spread of disease, systematic deprivation, isolation from the outside world, and continued restrictions on family visits.

According to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, around 9,400 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 88 women and more than 350 children.

M.N