Full Breakdown
Israeli Minister Threatens Veteran Hamas Bomber as Death-Penalty Law Takes Effect
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Video Threat to Hassan Salameh
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video on a Sunday night showing himself inside the cell of imprisoned Hamas operative Hassan Salameh. The footage was recorded during a prison visit about two weeks earlier.
Background & Context
Salameh’s attacks. In 1996 Salameh orchestrated the Line 18 suicide bus bombings on February 25 and March 3, killing 45 people. He was arrested that year, convicted in 1997 and sentenced to 48 life terms (or 46 life terms plus 30 years).
Long-term imprisonment. Salameh has spent nearly three decades behind bars, including roughly 14 years in solitary confinement. Reports from 2025 and 2026 document multiple assaults, weight loss to 62 kg, food shortages and limited medical care, which the Prisoners’ Media Office attributes to “deliberate starvation” under Ben-Gvir’s directives.
Ben-Gvir’s prison policy. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, security prisoners have been barred from purchasing or preparing food, receiving only minimum legal provisions. A September 2025 High Court ruling found the service non-compliant and ordered corrective steps.
Death-Penalty for Terrorists Law. In March 2026 the Knesset passed the law by a 62-48 vote, making hanging the default sentence for West Bank residents convicted of intentional killing in terrorist attacks, unless special circumstances apply. The law is not retroactive and does not affect Salameh’s 1996 offenses. Israel’s last execution was Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
Data & Statistics
- 45 deaths in the 1996 bus bombings.
- 48 life sentences for Salameh.
- 62 kg weight after assaults.
- Six assaults reported in May 2025; one assault in August 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ben-Gvir said, “As National Security Minister, I led a policy that turned his life into hell.”
- Hamas warned that “Our heroic people will remain loyal to their national causes, foremost among them the issue of the prisoners.”
- The Gaza-based Waed Association for Prisoners and Released Persons called the threat “an unprecedented level of hostility.”
Criticism & Opposition
The Waed Association, designated a terrorist entity by the U.S. Treasury in January 2026, argued the threat “represents further crimes” against prisoners. The death-penalty law sparked protests across several Arab and regional countries, with calls for its repeal.
On-the-Ground Reports
Palestinian prisoner organizations documented Salameh’s deteriorating health, repeated beatings and chronic diarrhea, confirming the harsh conditions described by the Waed Association.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source disputes the timeline of Salameh’s sentencing or the content of Ben-Gvir’s video. The only limitation noted is the law’s non-retroactive application to Salameh’s 1996 crimes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As National Security Minister, I led a policy that turned his life into hell,” — Itamar Ben-Gvir
- “Our heroic people will remain loyal to their national causes, foremost among them the issue of the prisoners,” — Hamas
What’s Next
Ben-Gvir is slated to appear at a supporters’ conference in Petah Tikva on August 16, 2026, ahead of the upcoming general elections. If he assumes the defense portfolio, he plans to pursue death sentences against Palestinian prisoners under the new law.