An Israeli lawmaker’s comments about Gaza have attracted attention and condemnation. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, made a public statement suggesting that Israel should kill 30 to 40 people in Gaza each night. These remarks surfaced on Sunday and were rapidly disseminated by Palestinian media.
Ben-Gvir made these statements during a conversation with Rom Braslavski, a former hostage from Gaza, on Braslavski’s podcast. The discussion centered around Israel’s response to the Hamas attack that occurred on October 7, 2023. In the dialogue, Ben-Gvir expressed his disagreement with recent Israeli policies that reduced strike activities in Gaza.
Contentious Statements Spark Controversy
He stated his belief in conducting targeted assassinations in Gaza, advocating for killing not only those who pose immediate threats but also others, whom he deemed unworthy of life. Such extreme views have previously faced global condemnation. Similar past statements by Ben-Gvir and other officials have been presented to the United Nations as potential evidence of genocidal intent, which Israel denies.
Despite the gravity of his statements, Israeli domestic media have given them limited coverage, indicating a shift in public sentiment towards more hardline views as the nation approaches elections on October 27. Ben-Gvir’s popularity has increased among Israelis, particularly following the Hamas attack that resulted in significant loss of life and numerous hostages facing severe abuse.
Role and Influence of Ben-Gvir
While Ben-Gvir does not command military operations in Gaza, his influence in Israel has grown significantly. He oversees crucial elements of the country’s security apparatus, including the police force and prison system, which holds many Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. He has in the past reduced food rations for Palestinian prisoners, a move deemed unlawful by Israel’s top court in 2025.
Most recently, Israel’s military efforts in Gaza were scaled back, reportedly in deference to U.S. diplomatic efforts. This decision, which limited strike authority to the army’s chief of staff, has been criticized by right-wing lawmakers like Ben-Gvir.
Advocating for Policy Shifts
In his podcast interview, Ben-Gvir also proposed the mass emigration and expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, which some international legal experts argue could constitute ethnic cleansing. He argues for reestablishing Israeli settlements in Gaza, a region Israel officially left 20 years ago by evacuating Gush Katif and withdrawing forces.
While major international negotiations seek peace and stability, differences remain vast. Recent proposals have called for Hamas to disarm gradually, in exchange for a cessation of Israeli attacks and military withdrawal from Gaza. However, the Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, maintains a strict stance against any withdrawal without Hamas’s complete disarmament.
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