Israeli Minister Calls for Daily 'Targeted Assassinations' in Gaza, Supports Palestinian Emigration
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocated for "targeted assassinations" of 30-40 people per night in Gaza.
- Ben-Gvir also expressed support for the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and Israeli settlement in the territory.
- His remarks have drawn criticism, with some lawyers suggesting they could be interpreted as incitement to ethnic cleansing.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for "targeted assassinations" in the Gaza Strip, suggesting that "30 to 40 people should be eliminated every night." Speaking in a podcast interview with former Hamas hostage Roma Braslavsky, the far-right minister also stated that some individuals in Gaza "do not deserve to live."
I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in the Gaza Strip, eliminating 30 to 40 people every night.
Ben-Gvir, who has previously disagreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterated his stance. "I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in the Gaza Strip, eliminating 30 to 40 people every night," he said. "Not only those who pose a direct threat. There are people there who do not deserve to live. They should not live. They are not even human beings."
There are people there who do not deserve to live. They should not live. They are not even human beings.
During the same interview, Ben-Gvir also voiced his support for the mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and for Israeli settlement in the territory. "In my opinion, the entire Gaza Strip belongs to us," he asserted. He added that emigration should not apply to terrorists, stating, "No emigration for terrorists, only exterminate them one by one."
In my opinion, the entire Gaza Strip belongs to us.
The Associated Press noted that Ben-Gvir has been condemned in the past for dehumanizing remarks about Palestinians. The agency suggested that his latest statements could be considered by lawyers as incitement to ethnic cleansing. The Israeli military, which claims its airstrikes target Hamas militants, has reportedly scaled back operations since a ceasefire agreement on October 10, 2025. This reduction may be a quiet concession to U.S. President Donald Trump after Netanyahu rejected a recent American initiative for further ceasefire talks. Israeli media reported last week that authority to approve airstrikes was limited to the army chief of staff, a decision that angered some politicians, including Ben-Gvir.
No emigration for terrorists, only exterminate them one by one.
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.