JERUSALEM (AP) — In a controversial statement, Itamar Ben-Gvir, an extremist Israeli lawmaker in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, publicly called for the killing of "30 to 40" people in Gaza each night. This remark, made during a podcast with former Gaza-held hostage Rom Braslavski, has drawn significant attention from Palestinian media and raised concerns about escalating violence and hatred.
During the podcast, Ben-Gvir expressed his disagreement with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the recent reduction of military strikes in Gaza. He advocated for targeted assassinations, suggesting that not only individuals who pose an immediate threat should be targeted but also others he deemed "not worthy of life." Ben-Gvir's statements echo previous comments that have been condemned both domestically and internationally, raising alarms about potential genocidal intent.
Ben-Gvir has gained popularity among Israelis since the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. Reports of long-term starvation and abuse have emerged from many of the hostages who survived the Hamas captivity. Despite his influence within Israel's security apparatus, Ben-Gvir does not directly control military operations and has faced backlash for his extreme views.
His role as Minister of National Security grants him significant oversight of Israeli police forces and prisons, where thousands of Palestinians are incarcerated. He has previously boasted about decreasing food rations for Palestinian prisoners, leading to a ruling by Israel's highest court in 2025, which found the prison service under his command to be violating basic dietary rights for Palestinians.
Recent reports indicate that Israel’s military had been conducting near-daily strikes on Gaza, resulting in over 1,250 deaths since a truce deal was established in October. The Israeli military, led by its chief of staff, has recently limited the authorization of these strikes, prompting frustration from right-wing lawmakers like Ben-Gvir. He criticized the easing off of strikes, calling for a more aggressive stance against Gaza.
In further remarks on the podcast, Ben-Gvir promoted the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, which international lawyers warn could resemble ethnic cleansing. He asserted the need for Israel to resettle Gaza and encouraged Palestinians to leave for their home countries while insisting that any remaining terrorists should be killed. His comments reflect a significant shift from Israel's earlier stance, which had involved a withdrawal from Gaza two decades ago, moving away from settlement policies in the region.
Negotiations led by then-President Donald Trump proposed a gradual surrender of weapons by Hamas, contingent upon Israeli forces ceasing their attacks and withdrawing from Gaza. While Hamas accepted the deal, they linked disarmament to the creation of a Palestinian state, a condition currently rejected by Netanyahu’s government. The Israeli Prime Minister has stated that Israel will not retreat from its positions in Gaza until Hamas is entirely disarmed, stalling other aspects of the ceasefire, which include deploying international forces and potential reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
