Israeli National Security Minister Confronts Hamas Terrorist in Prison

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Hassan Salameh, a senior Hamas operative and architect of deadly bus bombings, in prison. During the encounter, Ben-Gvir confronted Salameh, who is serving 46 life sentences for his role in the 1996 Jerusalem bus bombings that killed dozens.

Ben-Gvir told Salameh that as National Security Minister, he had made his prison conditions hellish. He also declared that if he were to become Defense Minister in the future, he would work to have Salameh executed. Ben-Gvir described the meeting as a personal "full circle" moment, recalling his own teenage protests following the bus attacks.

"I told him that the youth who demonstrated then in the streets is today the National Security Minister, and I looked the devil in the eye. He trembled and was terrified, and he has good reason," Ben-Gvir stated. He added that he would promote a policy of executing terrorists like Salameh and advance immigration policies from Gaza and the West Bank.

Salameh was sent by Mohammed Deif in early 1996 to carry out revenge attacks following the assassination of Yahya Ayyash. He was captured in May 1996 near Hebron after being wounded while attempting to flee. He was convicted of direct responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 46 people and wounded dozens more, receiving an unprecedented sentence of multiple life terms.