DayofPal—Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the execution of Palestinian detainees during an Israeli raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard.
Speaking during the incursion on Monday evening, Ben-Gvir declared that Israeli authorities had already stripped prisoners of their rights and now sought to take their lives.
His remarks came as Israeli forces escorted him into the the Al-Maghariba Gate before moving toward Bab Al-Silsila, amid tight security restrictions imposed on the site.
According to the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, the raid took place while Israeli forces prevented Palestinian worshippers from accessing the mosque, which has reportedly remained closed for over a month.
Authorities have also kept the Church of the Holy Sepulchre shut since late February, citing security concerns linked to regional tensions.
The ministers followed the recent passage of the law by the Knesset allowing the execution of Palestinian detainees convicted of killing Israelis.
The legislation, initially proposed by Ben-Gvir during his 2022 election campaign, is expected to take effect once officially published.
Under the law, executions must be carried out within 90 days of a final court ruling, with the possibility of a single extension approved by the prime minister.
It also prevents those sentenced to death from being included in any future prisoner exchange agreements.
The measure applies exclusively to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, while Israeli citizens remain subject to civilian law, raising concerns among legal experts about discriminatory enforcement.
Additional provisions outline execution by hanging, the use of masked prison officials, and legal immunity for those carrying out the sentences.
The law also prohibits appeals or sentence reductions after a death penalty ruling and mandates the isolation of condemned prisoners in underground solitary confinement, with no visitation rights until execution.
Human rights organizations estimate that approximately 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including hundreds of minors and women.
Advocacy groups report worsening detention conditions, citing allegations of torture, medical neglect, and restricted access to basic necessities.
Since October 2023, dozens of Palestinian detainees have reportedly died in custody, with rights groups attributing many of these deaths to abuse and lack of adequate healthcare.
Families of prisoners have described detention facilities as “living graves,” warning that conditions continue to deteriorate amid ongoing wars.
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