Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, publicly stated that Israel should be killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza each night. Ben-Gvir made these comments during a discussion on a podcast hosted by a former Gaza-held hostage, Rom Braslavski. The remarks surfaced Sunday and were shared by Palestinian media.
During the conversation, Ben-Gvir criticized Israel's recent drawdown of strikes in Gaza, stating, "I disagree with the prime minister. I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night. Not just those who pose an immediate threat — there are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people."
These statements come as Israel faces scrutiny over its military operations in Gaza. Past remarks by Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials have been widely condemned and presented to the UN's world court as evidence of genocidal intent, though Israel denies committing genocide in Gaza.
While Ben-Gvir does not have direct authority over military strikes, his influence has grown significantly since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. He oversees key security apparatuses, including the prison service, which holds thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. His tenure as prison minister has seen a reduction in food rations for Palestinian prisoners, a move previously ruled on by Israel's top court.
Ben-Gvir also advocated for the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal that international lawyers suggest could constitute ethnic cleansing, and for the resettlement of Gaza by Israel. "I see all of Gaza as ours," Ben-Gvir stated. "Settlements not just in Gush Katif but throughout Gaza, encouraging as much emigration as possible, sending them to their countries, and for the terrorists, no emigration, nothing, just to kill them one by one."
Israel's military has been striking Gaza nearly daily, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 1,250 deaths since an October truce deal. The intensity of these attacks appeared to decrease following a disagreement between Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump over a proposed ceasefire extension. Reports suggest the authority for carrying out strikes has been limited to the army's chief of staff, a move that has reportedly angered right-wing lawmakers like Ben-Gvir.
The U.S. has been involved in efforts to broker a ceasefire. Trump's latest proposal reportedly involved Hamas gradually relinquishing its weapons while Israeli forces halt attacks and withdraw from Gaza. Hamas accepted the deal, with conditions related to the establishment of a Palestinian state, a condition rejected by the current Israeli government. Netanyahu has stated Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed, leaving other aspects of potential agreements, such as international peacekeeping and reconstruction, unresolved.