Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the nightly targeted assassination of 30 to 40 people in the Gaza Strip during a podcast interview published over the weekend. Speaking to former hostage Rom Braslavski, Ben-Gvir stated that these killings should include individuals who do not pose an immediate threat, describing some residents of the territory as not being people and not worthy of life.
The comments come as the Israeli government has reportedly reduced the frequency of its strikes in Gaza. Ben-Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, acknowledged his disagreement with the prime minister regarding this reduction in military activity. While Ben-Gvir oversees the national police and prison systems, he does not have direct authority over Israel's military operations.
Beyond the call for assassinations, Ben-Gvir advocated for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements throughout Gaza and the encouragement of mass Palestinian emigration. He stated that Gaza belongs to Israel and proposed that while civilians should be sent to other countries, those he identified as terrorists should be killed. The United Nations and legal experts have previously stated that forced displacement of Palestinians could constitute ethnic cleansing.
For the Palestinian population, these policies would manifest as a lack of physical security and the potential for permanent displacement from their homes if emigration plans were enacted. For Israeli citizens and the government, these statements have led to concrete diplomatic consequences. Eight nations—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Spain—have already issued sanctions against Ben-Gvir for inciting violence. Additionally, Ireland and France have implemented travel bans, preventing the minister from entering their territories.
The tension within the Israeli cabinet over Gaza policy follows the recent rejection of a U.S.-backed peace plan by Prime Minister Netanyahu. The internal disagreement between Ben-Gvir and the prime minister highlights a divide over how to manage the territory following the October truce, which saw 1,250 deaths reported by Gaza health officials despite the cessation of major hostilities. Further international reactions are expected, as Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on Monday that these comments should be preserved for future legal proceedings. No specific date for a cabinet vote or a change in military orders following these remarks was reported.