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 on Sunday (August 16, 2026) 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. 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. Israel’s domestic media has made scarce mention of the statement, highlighting how once-fringe ideologies like Mr. Ben-Gvir’s are surging in the leadup to Israeli elections Oct. President Donald Trump after Mr. Netanyahu rejected the president’s latest attempt to move the truce forward. In the same taped appearance, the lawmaker advocated for mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza — a proposal that international lawyers say could amount to ethnic cleansing — and resettlement of Gaza by Israel.
The two were discussing Israel’s recovery from the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, when Ben-Gvir criticized Israel’s recent drawdown of strikes in Gaza. “I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night. 27. Until recently, Israel was striking Gaza nearly every day, attacks that have killed over 1,250 people since an October truce deal came into effect, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
“It’s no secret, I disagree with the Prime Minister,” he said. Israel’s military, which says the strikes have targeted Hamas militants, appeared to ease off on the attacks in a quiet concession to U.S.
Mr. Trump’s latest proposal involves Hamas gradually giving up its weapons while Israeli forces halt their attacks and begin withdrawing from Gaza. Hamas accepted the deal, although the group linked the surrender of its heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government and most of its political class adamantly reject.
