Israel constructing gallows for Palestinian executions

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has announced the construction of a facility for executing Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis, a move that has drawn immediate international condemnation and legal challenges. The announcement, made on August 19, 2026, comes amid a broader controversy over recent comments by the minister advocating for the daily killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

Ben Gvir shared video footage showing the early stages of construction for a gallows complex, which he described as a "death row and hanging facility." He stated, "We are making history. Our detainees deserve only one thing: death by hanging." The facility is being built within an Israeli prison, though the specific location has not been disclosed. According to reports, it will include observation booths for the families of Israeli victims to watch the executions.

The construction is proceeding under a new law passed by the Israeli parliament in March 2026, which mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. The law, promoted by Ben Gvir, instructs military courts to impose capital punishment as the default sentence, with life imprisonment only...