Israel’s Ben Gvir advocates killing ’30 to 40′ people in Gaza nightly while speaking to ex-hostage

Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, recently made controversial remarks in an interview with a former Gaza hostage. During the conversation, Ben-Gvir publicly advocated for the killing "30 to 40" people in Gaza each night, a statement that quickly gained attention and was shared by Palestinian media.

Ben-Gvir made these remarks while discussing Israel's recovery from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. He expressed disagreement with the prime minister and suggested that targeted assassinations should occur in Gaza, targeting not only those posing an immediate threat but also individuals who are deemed unworthy of life. The comments raise concerns about genocidal intent, as they align with Ben-Gvir's previous statements and actions, which have been widely condemned and presented to the UN's world court.

It is important to note that while Ben-Gvir does not have direct control over Israel's military and cannot order strikes on Gaza, his influence over the country's security apparatus is significant. He oversees Israel's police force and prisons, where thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank are incarcerated. In the past, Ben-Gvir has been criticized for imposing harsh conditions on Palestinian prisoners, including reducing food rations.

Ben-Gvir's statements also reflect a growing trend of far-right ideologies within Israel, particularly in the lead-up to the country's upcoming general elections on October 27. These extremist views have gained more traction among Israelis since the Hamas attack in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages.

In addition to advocating for mass killings in Gaza, Ben-Gvir has proposed the mass emigration of Palestinians from the territory and their resettlement in Israel. This proposal has been met with international condemnation, as it could be considered ethnic cleansing. Israel's top court has previously ruled that the prison service under Ben-Gvir's leadership has failed to provide prisoners with a minimum subsistence diet.

Netanyahu's government has rejected calls for retreating from its positions in Gaza, insisting that the territory remains under Israeli control until Hamas is completely disarmed. The current ceasefire, which includes a deployment of international forces and reconstruction efforts, remains on hold pending further developments.