Controversial Comments from Israeli Minister on Gaza
An Israeli minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has sparked controversy with remarks about Gaza. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security, suggested that “30 to 40” people should be killed each night in Gaza. His comments were made during a podcast discussion with Rom Braslavski, a former hostage from Gaza.
Ben-Gvir’s remarks follow the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. Those held hostage have reported severe abuse, including starvation and physical and psychological harm.
“I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza,” Ben-Gvir stated. “There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people.”
Similar statements have previously been condemned internationally and presented to the U.N.’s world court as evidence of genocidal intent. Israel, however, denies committing genocide in Gaza.
Despite the seriousness of these statements, Israeli domestic media has largely ignored them. This has brought attention to the rise of once-fringe ideologies in the lead-up to Israeli elections on October 27. Ben-Gvir and others promoting similar ideas have gained popularity since the 2023 attacks by Hamas.
Ben-Gvir, who oversees Israel’s police force and prisons, lacks the authority to order military strikes on Gaza. Nevertheless, he holds significant sway over Israel’s security operations, impacting prison conditions and police activities.
His influence extends to reducing food rations for Palestinian prisoners, a decision criticized by Israel’s top court in 2025 for depriving detainees of a basic diet.
Until recently, Israel maintained frequent strikes on Gaza. These attacks resulted in over 1,250 fatalities after an October truce deal, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry. However, pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump led to a reduction in these strikes, with the authority limited to the army’s chief of staff. This has frustrated right-wing figures like Ben-Gvir, who favor continuous military actions.
In the same podcast, Ben-Gvir proposed mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, an idea critiqued by international lawyers as potentially ethnic cleansing. He advocated for restoring Jewish settlements in Gaza and relocating Palestinians abroad.
Israel withdrew from Gaza two decades ago, dismantling Jewish settlements known as “Gush Katif.”
“I see all of Gaza as ours,” Ben-Gvir pronounced. “Not just in Gush Katif but throughout Gaza, encouraging emigration, and for the terrorists, an end without emigration.”
While Trump’s proposal suggests Hamas disarmament in exchange for Israeli troop withdrawals, the current Israeli government remains firm. Israel demands the complete disarmament of Hamas before considering any withdrawal from Gaza or implementation of other ceasefire elements.