Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened prisoner Marwan Barghouti after storming his cell, amid his family’s shock at his changed appearance and fears for his fate. Ben Gvir told Barghouti he would erase anyone who harms the people of Israel and said, “You will not win, and you must realize that.” This comes amid provocative policies by the far-right minister and following the approval of a plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip fully. The extremist minister stormed the solitary confinement section where Barghouti is held, declaring that those who kill Israeli children or women will be erased. A video showed Barghouti looking frail and in poor health. Since Ben Gvir took office at the end of 2022, the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have deteriorated significantly, with notable weight loss due to imposed policies.

On July 17, Ben Gvir boasted about starving Palestinian prisoners during a Supreme Court hearing. Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner leader, has been imprisoned since 2002 with five life sentences. His family expressed shock at his changed facial features and exhaustion. Palestinian official Raed Abu Al-Homs expressed concern over Barghouti’s life after the cell raid and threats, calling it a blatant threat and a crossing of all red lines. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the raid and threats as unprecedented provocation and organized state terrorism. Palestinian Deputy President Hussein Al-Sheikh described Ben Gvir’s threats as the peak of psychological, moral, and physical terrorism.