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Far-Right Israeli Minister Boasts of Worse Prison Conditions for Palestinians

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends an event at which new weapons are distributed to Israel's police volunteer security teams in Ashkelon, Israel, October 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends an event at which new weapons are distributed to Israel's police volunteer security teams in Ashkelon, Israel, October 27, 2023. (Reuters)
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Far-Right Israeli Minister Boasts of Worse Prison Conditions for Palestinians

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends an event at which new weapons are distributed to Israel's police volunteer security teams in Ashkelon, Israel, October 27, 2023. (Reuters)
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends an event at which new weapons are distributed to Israel's police volunteer security teams in Ashkelon, Israel, October 27, 2023. (Reuters)

Israel's far-right national security minister on Sunday boasted of worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners as he visited female inmates.

Two months before elections, Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video in which a veiled woman, her face blurred out, said that prisoners had "extremely bad" conditions and "don't get any rights, and we have particular needs as women".

"We haven't bathed for three days and we haven't changed our underwear," she said, warning of the risk of disease.

Ben-Gvir responds approvingly as he compares the treatment to that of hostages held for up to two years by Hamas and other fighters in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks.

"Our hostages had no shampoo and had no such conditions. I am proud that we have succeeded in reducing the terrorists' prison conditions to the bare minimum. The summer camps in the prisons are over," Ben-Gvir said.

Ben-Gvir, who earlier in his career was convicted of offenses including racism, has a history of provocative actions and statements.

Earlier this year, he posted a video of himself taunting foreign activists of an intercepted flotilla that tried to break the blockade of Gaza, saying "welcome to Israel" as they were forced to kneel with shackled hands.

The activists reported physical abuse, with an Australian saying Israeli authorities sexually assaulted her. Israel denied the allegations.

Ben-Gvir again drew international condemnation recently when he said Israel should kill 30 to 40 Palestinians each night in Gaza.

According to her husband, the prisoner speaking in the video is Yasmine Shaaban, who was re-arrested by Israeli forces in May 2025 during a raid on her home near Jenin, months after being released as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The Palestinian Authority's Commission on Detainees Affairs accused Ben Gvir of "brutality, hatred and racism".

The Gaza prisoners ministry under Hamas said Ben-Gvir's video "reflects the depths of depravity to which the occupation regime has sunk".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is struggling in some polls ahead of October 27 elections, and Ben-Gvir has refused his pleas to boost the right-wing's chances by running jointly with a fellow ultranationalist.

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Arab World

Hezbollah Throws Blame on Lebanese State for Israeli Escalation

TOPSHOT - Residents inspect the destruction the morning after a night airstrike by the Israeli military that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Mayfadoun on September 5, 2026. (Photo by ammar ammar / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Residents inspect the destruction the morning after a night airstrike by the Israeli military that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Mayfadoun on September 5, 2026. (Photo by ammar ammar / AFP)
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Hezbollah Throws Blame on Lebanese State for Israeli Escalation

TOPSHOT - Residents inspect the destruction the morning after a night airstrike by the Israeli military that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Mayfadoun on September 5, 2026. (Photo by ammar ammar / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Residents inspect the destruction the morning after a night airstrike by the Israeli military that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Mayfadoun on September 5, 2026. (Photo by ammar ammar / AFP)

Lebanon’s Hezbollah party continues to throw the blame on Lebanese authorities for Israel’s military escalations in the South, as a ministerial source questions the party’s silence over the fall of the strategic Ali al-Taher hill following reports of an Iranian-US deal.

“It is unfortunate that this rhetoric of holding the authorities responsible continues, while everyone knows who dragged the country into this war and whose interests they served by doing so”, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity on Sunday.

Hezbollah didn’t issue any clear position after the downfall of Ali al-Taher into Israel’s control.

The source questioned why the group had not defended it or explained to its supporters what had actually happened there. “Why did they not defend Ali al-Taher? Why don’t they tell their supporters the truth about what actually happened there, instead of maintaining this complete silence?” said the source.

The source also pointed to a shift in Hezbollah’s rhetoric, from portraying Ali al-Taher as strategic and issuing threats over it, to downplaying its significance following its downfall.

Israeli Escalation in the South and Bekaa

Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday killed four people and wounded 32, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes hit seven villages mainly striking Nabtieh. In Mayfadoun, an 18-year-old woman was killed.

Israel said it targeted Hezbollah personnel and weapons infrastructure in response to a drone launch toward its forces.

Also, Israeli drones flew at low altitude over Beirut and its southern suburbs on Saturday, while Israeli aircraft struck homes in Mansouri and carried out several explosions in the area. Large explosions were also reported in Bani Hayyan, with footage showing extensive smoke.

Hezbollah Steps Up Rhetoric against the Government

Hezbollah escalated its rhetoric against the Lebanese authority, considering Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon showed the failure of the state’s approach toward Israel.

In a statement it issued on Saturday, Hezbollah said: “The Israeli enemy continues to escalate its aggression and crimes against Lebanon, through killings, bombardment, destruction and the systematic demolition of homes and villages, amid complete international silence, blatant US complicity and the total absence of the Lebanese authorities from assuming their responsibilities”.

It added that the authorities’ continued pursuit of “wrong choices and a concessionary and submissive approach” had only served to entrench the occupation and allow the enemy to continue its aggression and crimes against the Lebanese people.

Hezbollah said the Israeli aggression was putting pressure on the Lebanese authorities to carry out what it described as “agendas” with known objectives, warning that continuing along the negotiating path “gives the enemy cover to continue its aggression and more time to achieve its goals and impose its conditions and dictates on Lebanon.”

Hezbollah also criticized the direct US-sponsored Lebanese-Israel talks and the “framework agreement,” arguing that the continued occupation and Israeli attacks undermined any claims of progress achieved through the process.

Arab World

US Envoy Accuses UK of Antisemitism over Gaza Criticism

Britain's Foreign Minister Ed Miliband arrives to attend an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers at Druids Glen in Wicklow, south of Dublin, Ireland, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)
Britain's Foreign Minister Ed Miliband arrives to attend an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers at Druids Glen in Wicklow, south of Dublin, Ireland, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)
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US Envoy Accuses UK of Antisemitism over Gaza Criticism

Britain's Foreign Minister Ed Miliband arrives to attend an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers at Druids Glen in Wicklow, south of Dublin, Ireland, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)
Britain's Foreign Minister Ed Miliband arrives to attend an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers at Druids Glen in Wicklow, south of Dublin, Ireland, on September 2, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP)

The US ambassador to Israel on Saturday accused ally Britain's government of antisemitism after its top diplomat described the situation in Gaza as "horrific".

"The Brits have lost it. The Jew hate of their government knows no boundaries and knows no facts," Ambassador Mike Huckabee wrote on X of remarks by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, the son of Jewish refugees to Britain.

While President Donald Trump has often criticized allies, such loaded remarks by a US official are unusual against Britain, among the closest US allies, said AFP.

Miliband posted a video in which he described a meeting on Gaza and said that the British government had to take action.

"Frankly, it was horrific what is unfolding. You know, the stories that people were telling me of medicines being blocked, children dying while waiting for vital life-saving equipment," Miliband said in the video.

The Israeli foreign ministry accused him of ignoring facts and "making a video for a political audience".

The Israeli foreign ministry said that 22,500 tons of medical supplies entered the Gaza Strip since a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025, which has reduced but not ended the violence with Israel routinely striking what it says are Hamas targets.

The UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, said in June that while more aid has been entering Gaza, it was not enough, with Israel restricting goods it says could have dual use -- including, at times, prosthetic limbs, he said.

Aid groups say Israel's restrictions on engine oil and spare parts have also made it difficult to operate hospitals and other medical infrastructure.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, has said his predecessor Keir Starmer was too soft on Israel.

His government has said it is planning measures in response to rising attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, a move that Israel says will trigger retaliation.

Arab World

Israel Army Says Striking Southern Lebanon, Urges Evacuation

04 September 2026, Lebanon, Tyre District: Smoke rises after Israeli forces carried out an explosion targeting homes in Mansouri, southern Lebanon. Photo: Abdul Kader Al Bay/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
04 September 2026, Lebanon, Tyre District: Smoke rises after Israeli forces carried out an explosion targeting homes in Mansouri, southern Lebanon. Photo: Abdul Kader Al Bay/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Army Says Striking Southern Lebanon, Urges Evacuation

04 September 2026, Lebanon, Tyre District: Smoke rises after Israeli forces carried out an explosion targeting homes in Mansouri, southern Lebanon. Photo: Abdul Kader Al Bay/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
04 September 2026, Lebanon, Tyre District: Smoke rises after Israeli forces carried out an explosion targeting homes in Mansouri, southern Lebanon. Photo: Abdul Kader Al Bay/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The Israeli military said on Sunday it was carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched drones at its soldiers, and urged residents of the town of Arab Salim to evacuate. 

The Israeli army said in statement that “terrorists from the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched two drones” towards the Israeli army “operating in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon” and that the military in response is now striking in southern Lebanon. It added that there were no reports of Israeli soldiers wounded. 

In another message, the Israeli military warned residents of Arab Salim to leave ahead of imminent attacks. 

"You are situated near a facility belonging to the terrorist organization Hezbollah”, against which the Israeli army will be operating, it wrote in Arabic on Telegram. 

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war in March after Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel, which responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people. 

Violence has lessened since a US-Iran memorandum of understanding on the broader conflict in June and a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon later that month. 

Israeli forces are operating inside a self-declared "security zone" around 10 kilometers (six miles) deep inside Lebanon along the border. 

Authorities in Lebanon said on Saturday that Israeli strikes killed four people in the country's south and east.