Israel’s far‑right national security minister Ben-Gvir has called for Israeli forces to kill “30 or 40” Palestinians in Gaza every night, saying the campaign should extend beyond those posing immediate threats.
Ben‑Gvir made the remarks in a podcast interview with Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli captive held in Gaza, during Israel’s war on the territory following the Hamas‑led attacks of October 2023.
The episode surfaced Sunday and was widely circulated in Palestinian media, reports Al Jazeera.
“There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people,” Ben‑Gvir said, urging targeted killings and dismissing the current ceasefire.
He argued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to scale back strikes, pressing instead for renewed assassinations.
Ben‑Gvir, who sits on Israel’s security cabinet but has no direct authority over the military, also pledged support for Braslavski’s request to personally execute prisoners under Israel’s newly enacted death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks. “I will turn the world upside down to make that happen,” he told him.
The minister further called for Palestinians to be encouraged to leave Gaza permanently and for new Israeli settlement of the territory, repeating his claim that “all of Gaza is ours.”
International lawyers have warned that forced or engineered emigration could amount to ethnic cleansing.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health says Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,250 people since the ceasefire took hold in October.
Ben‑Gvir’s comments add to a long record of extreme statements dating back to his involvement with the outlawed Kahanist movement as a teenager.
As minister, he has championed the death penalty for Palestinians, boasted of worsening prison conditions, and drawn international criticism. He has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and several EU states, though without curbing his influence.
The far‑right politician, who controls Israel’s police and prison services, has gained prominence within Netanyahu’s coalition as Israel heads toward elections on October 27.
