Hostage coordinator warns Ben Gvir’s taunt of jailed archterrorist endangers hostages in Gaza

The Israeli government’s hostage coordinator, Gal Hirsch, urged National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to “tone down” his rhetoric after he released footage of himself taunting one of the most senior Palestinian terrorists during a visit to the prison.

The unusual visit to Ganot Prison near Tel Aviv, and the video that followed, drew international condemnation at a time when Israel is already facing a diplomatic crisis and mediators are working to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table for a hostage deal.

Hirsch also requested that Ben Gvir stop providing Israel’s enemies with the opportunity to amplify the issue of the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, citing concerns and past testimonials that Israeli hostages are treated more harshly whenever media reports allege mistreatment of the prisoners.

אני קורא הבוקר שכל מיני "גורמים בכירים" ברשות לא כ"כ אהבו את מה שאמרתי לארכי מחבל מרואן ברגותי ימ"ש

אז אני אחזור על זה שוב ושוב בלי להתנצל - מי שיתעסק עם עם ישראל, מי שירצח לנו ילדים, מי שירצח לנו נשים, אנחנו נמחק אותו. בעזרת השם. pic.twitter.com/pp1BNqF58M

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) August 15, 2025

According to local media reports, Ben Gvir told Hirsch that he understands the situation of the families of the hostages, but added, “The concept that we cannot provoke the terrorists is over.”

The Prime Minister’s Office stated, “Hirsch and Ben-Gvir spoke last night and agreed to hold a working meeting on this matter soon. During their discussions today, Prime Minister Netanyahu also addressed the issue with Hirsch.”

On Thursday, Ben Gvir published a 13-second video of himself berating Marwan Barghouti, widely regarded as the most popular Palestinian leader and a figure Hamas has consistently demanded to be freed in a hostage deal.

“You won’t win. Whoever messes with the Nation of Israel, whoever murders our children and women, we will wipe them out. You should know this, [this happened] throughout history,” Ben Gvir told the convicted terrorist.

On Thursday, Ben Gvir wrote on 𝕏 that he heard, “The left's whining, ‘This angers Hamas,’ regarding Barghouti's pictures, the despicable murderer they want as the next ‘Palestinian’ leader.”

“I want to tell them: For years, you sold us illusions that if we just appease Hamas, don't provoke it, give it money, workers, and free movement of goods, it will become sweet and harmless, and the world will love us... Those days are over. In the Middle East, results are achieved only through deterrence, not fantasies.”

The video is the first image of Barghouti in over a decade.

The 66-year-old terrorist has been serving five life sentences plus 40 years since 2002, for his leading role in planning terror attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.

At the time, he was the leader of the Tanzim terrorist group, which was part of Fatah, the political party of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.

Since his incarceration, Barghouti has claimed to advocate less violent policies, and is seen by some on the left as a potential pragmatic leader who could make peace with Israel.

His alleged treatment in prison has already been used to attack Israel in the past, as Barghouti’s family has claimed he was beaten numerous times by the prison guards, including since Oct.7, 2023.

His wife, Fadwa, lamented, “The occupation and its figures are still locked in conflict with you, the shackles still on your hands – but I know your spirit and your resolve, and I know you will remain free, free, free.”

Barghouti appeared noticeably older and thinner than in his last known images from more than a decade ago.

His family attributed his condition to hunger, with his son Qassam saying, “We are concerned for our father’s life.” Palestinian Authority official Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the visit, calling Ben-Gvir’s words “the peak of psychological terror.”

PA deputy leader Hussein al-Sheikh vowed on Saturday that “every effort” would be made to release Barghouti from Israeli imprisonment.

He condemned the video as “the height of psychological, moral, and physical terrorism practiced against prisoners and a violation of international and humanitarian conventions and norms.”

“This represents an unprecedented escalation in the occupation’s policy against Palestinian prisoners, necessitating the immediate intervention of international organizations and institutions to protect them,” al-Sheikh stated.

The PA leader and other Palestinian officials visited Barghouti's family home on Saturday, with al-Sheik noting that Barghouti “represents a symbol of the Palestinian struggle.”