Marwan Barghouti Confronted by Israeli Ben-Gvir in Prison Cell, Prompting Palestinian Outrage

In a move the Palestinian Authority condemned as “provocative,” Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the solitary confinement cell of senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti at Israel’s Ganot Prison, issuing threats in a rare public appearance of the imprisoned figure.

Appearing visibly frail after years in detention, Barghouti listened as Ben-Gvir declared on video aired by Israeli channels Thursday night: “You will not win… Whoever targets the people of Israel and kills our sons and daughters, we will erase.”

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced the visit as “unprecedented provocation and organized state terrorism.” Hussein al-Sheikh, Deputy President of the Palestinian Authority, called Ben-Gvir’s words “the height of psychological, moral, and physical terror,” accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian conventions.

The incident drew sharp criticism from Palestinian officials, who urged international organizations to intervene for the protection of prisoners. Raed Abu al-Homs, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Commission, expressed deep concern for Barghouti’s life, while the Barghouti family said his facial features had changed and accused Ben-Gvir of directly threatening to execute him.

Barghouti, one of the most prominent Palestinian prisoners, has been jailed since 2002, serving five life sentences. Hamas has previously sought his release in past prisoner swap negotiations.