Israeli security personnel have documented improvised weapons produced by Nukhba terrorists—Hamas forces that led the Oct. 7, 2023, onslaught in Israel’s western Negev—who are incarcerated in Israeli prisons, Israel National News reported on Wednesday.
Images provided to the outlet show homemade knives, sharpened spikes, screws, metal springs and even safety pins and ropes, which investigators said were designated to stab or strangle guards and soldiers in moments of distraction, according to INN.
These items could be used for attacks, kidnappings and murder, the report added.
Only the elite Israel Prison Service unit “Force 100” is permitted to enter the cells where Nukhba terrorists are held.
Describing the complexity of the unit’s work, one of its members told INN that “I enter a cell with 50 to a hundred Nukhba murderers—the most dangerous people imaginable. [We enter] usually eight to 10 fighters, without [hot] weapons. We go in with shields, batons and tasers, facing dozens of terrorists, each one a potential threat. In many cases, we find improvised weapons made from bed springs or screws they’ve dismantled. We know we’re entering a dangerous situation, which is why we undergo intensive training to act quickly and efficiently.”
He stressed that Force 100 enters these cells only in extreme cases. “We’re called in only for critical situations: incidents such as sexual harassment against a female soldier, or when there’s reasonable suspicion that a prisoner is hiding or has obtained a weapon,” said the fighter, who was interviewed on condition of anonymity.
“When our intervention team enters, our only concern is saving lives—protecting the guards, especially the female officers—and locating the improvised weapons hidden by these terrorists. Every action we take is focused on preserving human life; the lives of our team and everyone around us,” he added.
Force 100 is involved in a political scandal presently sparking fiery debate in Israel.
Last week, Israel’s military advocate general, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, admitted that she had personally authorized and amplified the release of security footage from the Sde Teiman Prison, where Hamas terrorists are incarcerated. The video surfaced in July 2024, showing IDF reservists from Force 100 allegedly sexually abusing a Gazan detainee at the site.
The footage, later leaked to Channel 12, prompted public outrage, the indictment of several soldiers and riots in which demonstrators stormed the Sde Teiman base and the Beit Lid military court where the reservists were taken.
Earlier this month, the Israel Police opened an investigation into the military advocate general’s actions. Tomer-Yerushalmi is suspected of obstruction of justice, fraud, breach of trust, abuse of authority and concealment of evidence.
