By SCM International Desk I Monday, August 18,2026
JERUSALEM — Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, has sparked widespread international condemnation after publicly calling for Israeli forces to execute “30 to 40” targeted killings in Gaza every night and arguing that many Palestinians in the enclave “are not even people” and “do not deserve to live.”
The incendiary comments were made during an appearance on a podcast hosted by Rom Braslavski, a former captive released by Hamas.
In the interview, Mr. Ben-Gvir openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent scaling back of military operations in Gaza, exposing widening political rifts within Israel’s ruling coalition over the country’s war strategy.
“It’s no secret, I disagree with the Prime Minister,” Mr. Ben-Gvir said during the broadcast. “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.”
In the same recording, Mr. Ben-Gvir advocated re-establishing Jewish settlements throughout the Gaza Strip and encouraging the mass emigration of Palestinian residents. Referring to the Israeli withdrawal and dismantling of 21 settlements in Gaza two decades ago, he stated, “I see all of Gaza as ours,” calling for settlements not just in former sites like Gush Katif, but across the entire territory.
Background and Growing Political Influence
Mr. Ben-Gvir, who leads the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, has a long history of extremism. Prior to entering parliament, he was convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization. Once considered a fringe extremist in Israeli politics, his political clout has grown significantly in recent years.
As National Security Minister, he oversees Israel’s national police force and prison system, where thousands of Palestinian detainees are held.
While Mr. Ben-Gvir sits on the security cabinet, he does not hold operational command over the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and cannot directly issue orders for military strikes in Gaza. However, his rhetoric carries substantial political weight.
His coalition support remains vital to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political survival, giving him a leverage point to push the administration toward harder-line policies.
The timing of Mr. Ben-Gvir’s statement comes as Israeli strikes on Gaza have been somewhat constrained following pressure from international mediators and Washington, which has been seeking to advance a ceasefire and hostage-release framework.
Reports in Israeli media recently indicated that authority to approve airstrikes had been tightened and restricted to senior military officials, drawing sharp criticism from hardline ministers.
Human rights observers and international legal scholars warn that rhetoric targeting civilian populations or calling for collective punishment can carry severe legal consequences.
Similar past statements by hardline Israeli ministers have been submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as evidence of genocidal intent in proceedings brought against Israel—allegations that the Israeli government vehemently denies, maintaining that its forces act strictly within international law.
Furthermore, international legal experts point out that forced displacement of populations or mass settlement expansion in occupied territories violates the Geneva Conventions and could constitute ethnic cleansing.
Despite the mounting diplomatic backlash, hardline views such as Mr. Ben-Gvir’s continue to resonate among a segment of the Israeli electorate following the Oct. 7 attack led by Hamas, in which 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage.
As Israel prepares for political headwinds ahead, the clash between internal political demands for harsher military measures and international pressure for restraint presents an increasingly precarious challenge for Mr. Netanyahu’s government.
