Hamas said in a statement on Telegram that Ben-Gvir’s storming of the detention facility, and his attempt to threaten and humiliate the activists there, reflect “the extent of the arrogance, and moral and political decadence” Israel’s leaders have reached, Al Jazeera reports.

Yesterday, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir entered a detention centre, where hundreds of activists captured on board the Global Sumud Flotilla were held, before calling them “terrorists”.

He also said deporting activists from the flotilla would be a mistake, arguing they should instead be jailed for several months.

“This calls for global and international condemnation of him and his fascist army’s behaviour against our defenceless people, and for pressure on the entity to release them immediately,” the group said.

Hamas also expressed “pride and admiration for the heroic stance demonstrated by the activists”.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

OFFICIAL post-budget media briefings in Pakistan are carefully choreographed affairs, full of reassuring phrases ...
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...