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Far-right Ben-Gvir urges Israel to kill ‘30 to 40 every night’ in Gaza

An extremist Israeli lawmaker in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition publicly advocated for killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza each night, comments that surfaced Sunday and were quickly shared by Palestinian media. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir made the statement while speaking to a former Gaza-held hostage, Rom Braslavski, on Braslavski’s podcast. The two were discussing Israel’s recovery from the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, when Ben-Gvir criticised Israel’s recent...

Source: South China Morning Post · August 17, 2026 at 4:31 AM · AI-assisted report

Far-right Ben-Gvir urges Israel to kill ‘30 to 40 every night’ in Gaza
Image: scmp.com

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

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Far-right Israeli minister calls for nightly Gaza killings, stoking regional tensions

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly urged the military to carry out nightly strikes in Gaza, targeting “30 to 40” people each evening, comments that have intensified scrutiny over Israel’s conduct in the war-torn enclave. The remarks, made during a podcast interview with former Gaza hostage Rom Braslavski on Sunday, were widely circulated by Palestinian media and drew immediate condemnation from international observers. Ben-Gvir, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, argued that Israel should broaden its operations beyond immediate threats, stating that certain Palestinians “are not worthy of life” and “shouldn’t live.”

Ben-Gvir’s statements come amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has conducted near-daily airstrikes since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 1,250 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since a truce agreement took effect, though Israel asserts that its military targets Hamas operatives exclusively. The minister’s call for expanded lethal operations contradicts recent reports that Israel had scaled back strikes following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a phased ceasefire and eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

While Ben-Gvir lacks direct control over military operations, his influence within Israel’s security apparatus has grown significantly. As head of the prison service and national police, he oversees the detention of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, where conditions have drawn criticism from Israel’s top court. In 2023, the judiciary ruled that the prison service under Ben-Gvir had violated minimum dietary standards for Palestinian detainees. The minister has previously defended reducing food rations for prisoners, framing it as a security measure.

The timing of Ben-Gvir’s remarks coincides with Israel’s upcoming parliamentary elections on October 27, where far-right factions have gained prominence following Hamas’ 2023 assault. Polls suggest growing support for hardline policies among Israeli voters, particularly among those affected by the hostage crisis and subsequent violence. Analysts note that Ben-Gvir’s rhetoric reflects a broader shift in Israeli politics, where once-marginalized extremist views now hold sway in government.

Ben-Gvir’s proposals extend beyond military escalation, advocating for the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza—a stance that legal experts warn could constitute ethnic cleansing. He has called for the resettlement of Gaza by Israelis, including the revival of former settlements dismantled in 2005, when Israel withdrew from the territory. “I see all of Gaza as ours,” Ben-Gvir declared in the interview, adding that Palestinians should be encouraged to leave while Hamas militants face targeted killings. International law experts have previously condemned such proposals as violations of international humanitarian law.

The minister’s comments follow Trump’s latest ceasefire proposal, which involves Hamas gradually surrendering its weapons in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. While Hamas has accepted the deal, it has tied the disarmament of its heaviest weapons to the establishment of a Palestinian state—a condition Israel and its political leadership have rejected outright. Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, leaving other ceasefire components, including international force deployments and reconstruction efforts, unresolved.

Regional reactions to Ben-Gvir’s statements have been swift. Palestinian officials and human rights groups have accused Israel of escalating genocidal rhetoric, pointing to past UN submissions that cited similar statements as evidence of intent. Israel denies allegations of genocide, asserting that its military operations target Hamas while minimizing civilian casualties. However, the scale of destruction in Gaza—where entire neighborhoods have been leveled—has drawn widespread international condemnation, including from Malaysia, which has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid access.

For Malaysia, a vocal advocate for Palestinian statehood, Ben-Gvir’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing the crisis. The government has consistently supported resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meetings, urging accountability for alleged war crimes. Malaysian officials have also emphasized the need for a two-state solution, a position increasingly isolated as Israel’s current government rejects Palestinian statehood outright.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of the Gaza conflict remains uncertain. With Israel’s military operations constrained by political pressures and international scrutiny, Ben-Gvir’s calls for expanded violence risk further destabilizing the region. Meanwhile, Hamas’ refusal to disarm without a political settlement leaves little room for compromise. As elections loom in Israel, the far-right’s ascent suggests that hardline policies may dominate the political landscape, prolonging the cycle of violence and humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

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Reporting based on South China Morning Post. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.