Hamas has allegedly filmed the torture of Israeli hostages, including videos directly addressing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, The Telegraph wrote on Sunday in an unconfirmed report.
The Telegraph cited two Israeli officials, who said the videos show hostages being tortured in an attempt to force Israel to ease conditions for Palestinian prisoners.
These reports follow allegations that Palestinians are being held at the Sde Teiman base in southern Israel and the conditions that prisoners are held in. Ben-Gvir is against a hostage deal that would see the end of the Israel-Hamas war and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
The Telegraph noted that the video has intensified the rift between the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) over Palestinian prisoners, with Ben-Gvir doubling down on his decisions after allegedly viewing the videos.
How did Ben-Gvir respond to the allegations?
Ben-Gvir told The Telegraph that he was "not aware" of the allegations.
In a post to X, Ben-Gvir wrote, "Hamas did not send me any video, and I refuse to cooperate with Hamas propaganda: One should only talk to Hamas through action."
"The terrorist organization Hamas did not look for any excuse on October 7 to murder, rape, kidnap, and abuse living citizens and even corpses, and even murdered hostages in captivity."
חמאס לא שלח לי שום סרטון ואני מסרב לשתף פעולה עם תעמולה חמאסית: עם החמאס צריך לדבר רק דרך כוונות.ארגון הטרור חמאס לא חיפש שום תירוץ ב-7.10 כדי לרצוח, לאנוס, לחטוף, ולהתעלל באזרחים חיים ואפילו בגופות, ואף רצח חטופים בשבי.את חמאס יש להכריע, ולא להיכנע לתכתיביו הדורשים כניעה: יש…
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) July 28, 2024
"Hamas must be defeated and not submit to what it dictates, that demand surrender: the territory of the Gaza Strip must be occupied permanently, humanitarian aid must be stopped, and it must be defeated."
"The conditions of the terrorists in the prisons have indeed worsened, and the 'summer camps' have stopped, and I am proud of that - I have no intention of submitting to the dictates of Hamas."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to the developments, stating, "There is no need for additional videos to know the obvious: For 296 days, the hostages have been subjected to physical and mental torture, starved, and held in inhumane conditions."
"The National Security Minister, as well as the Prime Minister and cabinet members, have only one responsibility: To approve a deal now! A deal that will allow the release of all 115 hostages and stop the torture they and their families are forced to go through," the statement concluded.
This is a developing story.