Israel is moving ahead with the construction of execution facilities where Palestinian prisoners convicted in terrorism-related killing cases could be hanged.
The project comes after legislation approved earlier this year introduced death by hanging for terrorism-linked murders, a measure that applies only to Palestinians.
Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, presented the site this week, sharing images that appeared to show the gallows complex still being built.
According to Ben-Gvir, the facility is expected to feature a dedicated death row section, gallows at its center, and viewing areas where victims’ relatives would be allowed to witness executions — a practice he said exists in other countries, “including the United States.”
Speaking in a video recorded at the location, Ben-Gvir said: “I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons. It was fully carried out. I promised to pass the death penalty law for terrorists. That’s done. I promised to establish a [hanging] facility. And that’s carried out.”
He went on to describe the move as historic, adding: “Terrorists deserve only one thing: death by hanging.”
The plan has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and legal specialists, who warn it creates a two-tier justice system. Opponents have argued in petitions that the policy violates fundamental rights, including the rights to life, dignity and equality.
Israeli human rights organization HaMoked says more than 9,300 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons.
srael is building gallows where it plans to hang Palestinian terrorists. Pictured: Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, at the planned execution site
File image: Undated photograph shows blindfolded Palestinian prisoners
Some 3,200 are being held under administrative detention, a policy that allows military commanders to detain people for renewable six-month periods based on classified evidence that neither they nor their lawyers can review.
It comes just days after Ben-Gvir publicly advocated for killing ’30 to 40′ people in Gaza each night, in comments that surfaced last week.
The Israeli lawmaker made the statement while speaking to a former Gaza-held hostage, Rom Braslavski, on Braslavski’s podcast.
The two were discussing Israel’s recovery from the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, when Ben-Gvir criticised Israel’s recent drawdown of strikes in Gaza.
‘It’s no secret, I disagree with the prime minister,’ he said.
‘I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night. Not just those who pose an immediate threat — there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people.’
In the past, similar statements by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials were widely condemned.
Many have been presented to the U.N.’s world court as evidence of genocidal intent. Israel denies it has committed genocide in Gaza.
Israel’s domestic media has made scarce mention of the statement, highlighting how once-fringe ideologies like Ben-Gvir’s are surging in the lead-up to Israeli elections on October 27.
Figures like Ben-Gvir have become more popular among Israelis since Hamas’ brutal attack in 2023, when the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Many hostages have recounted long-term starvation, physical and psychological abuse and, in some cases, sexual abuse.
In May, he sparked international outrage after sharing a video that showed him taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists.
The video – posted to his X account – showed masked officers aggressively subduing activists by pushing them down, forcing them onto all fours, and dragging them across the floor.
Ben-Gvir could be seen goading them, waving an Israeli flag and saying: ‘That’s how we welcome the terror supporters. Welcome to Israel.’
The footage was swiftly condemned by politicians, including Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
