Netanyahu Ally Calls for 30-40 Killings in Gaza Each Night

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn fresh criticism after calling for Israel to kill between 30 and 40 people in Gaza every night. Ben-Gvir, a far-right ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made the comments during a podcast conversation with Rom Braslavski, an Israeli man who was held hostage in Gaza. His remarks were reported as Israel continues to face intense political and international pressure over its military campaign in the Palestinian territory.

During the interview, Ben-Gvir criticised what he described as a decline in Israeli military strikes in Gaza. He argued that Israel should be carrying out substantially more targeted killings and suggested that dozens of people should be killed each night. The comments have attracted particular attention because of Ben-Gvir's senior position in the Israeli government. As national security minister, he oversees the country's police and prison authorities and is also a member of the security cabinet. He does not, however, directly command the Israeli military or independently order airstrikes.

Ben-Gvir also used the interview to reiterate his support for establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza. He said he wanted Jewish communities to return to the territory and advocated encouraging Palestinians to leave. Israel withdrew its permanent ground forces and dismantled its settlements in Gaza in 2005. The idea of rebuilding Israeli settlements there has since remained a deeply controversial issue, particularly among Palestinians and the international community.

His latest remarks reflect the increasingly hardline position he has taken throughout the Gaza war. Ben-Gvir has repeatedly demanded stronger military action against Hamas and opposed measures that he believes reduce pressure on the group. The comments also come as the future of Gaza remains the subject of intense diplomatic negotiations. Key issues include Hamas's weapons, Israel's military presence, the administration of the territory and plans for reconstruction.

Israel says its military campaign is aimed at Hamas and other armed groups. Palestinian officials and international organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the scale of civilian deaths and the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Ben-Gvir's call for nightly killings is therefore likely to further intensify debate over Israel's conduct of the war and the political direction of Netanyahu's government. It also highlights the sharp divisions within Israel over whether the conflict should continue through intensified military operations or move toward a broader political settlement. With no clear agreement yet on Gaza's long-term future, statements from senior Israeli officials such as Ben-Gvir continue to underline the difficult political and humanitarian challenges surrounding the conflict.