An Israeli lawmaker from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has sparked controversy by advocating for lethal actions in Gaza. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly suggested the killing of 30 to 40 individuals in Gaza every night. His remarks, made during a podcast conversation with former hostage Rom Braslavski, were quickly disseminated by Palestinian media.
Ben-Gvir expressed his disagreement with the prime minister’s approach to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. He called for targeted assassinations, claiming some individuals in Gaza should not live. Historically, such statements from Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials have faced condemnation and have been used as evidence in international forums to suggest genocidal intent. However, Israel denies any allegations of genocide.
Within Israel, media coverage of Ben-Gvir’s comments has been minimal. His extremist views, which were once fringe, have gained traction ahead of the upcoming elections on October 27. This is partly due to the aftermath of a recent brutal attack by Hamas in which militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Hostage accounts have detailed severe abuse, including starvation and physical and psychological torture.
Ben-Gvir, despite his limited military authority, oversees key elements of Israel’s security. He manages the national police and the prison system, which houses many Palestinians. His controversial policies include reducing food rations for Palestinian prisoners, which Israel’s top court ruled against in 2025, citing that it deprived prisoners of a basic subsistence diet.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza have recently decreased in frequency. Over 1,250 people have died due to strikes since an October truce commenced, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. These operations primarily targeted Hamas militants. However, the recent shift in military command decision-making has provoked criticism from right-wing lawmakers like Ben-Gvir.
During the podcast, Ben-Gvir also advocated for the mass emigration and expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal criticized by international legal experts as potentially amounting to ethnic cleansing. He suggested resettling Gaza with Israeli settlements. This follows Israel’s disengagement from the Gaza Strip about twenty years ago when it dismantled Jewish settlements and withdrew its forces.
In terms of ceasefire negotiations, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal suggests Hamas disarm while Israeli forces cease attacks and start withdrawing from Gaza. Although Hamas agreed, linking disarmament to the establishment of a Palestinian state, the Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, rejects this. Consequently, other ceasefire elements, including international force deployment and territory reconstruction, remain pending.