Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Advocates Killing 30-40 Gazans Every Night

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated Israel should kill "30 to 40" Gazans in strikes every night.

He made these comments on former hostage Rom Braslavski's 'October 8' podcast, published on Saturday night. Ben-Gvir argued Israel should not be satisfied with killing just those who endanger us in that moment or pose an immediate threat. He claimed there are people there who aren't worthy of life; they shouldn't be alive; they aren't people at all.

Ben-Gvir also said Gaza citizens some might consider uninvolved should not be exempt. He referred to a woman who brought Braslavski food during his captivity, stating, "She's a terrorist for all intents and purposes" and needs a bullet in the head. Ben-Gvir expressed pride in being feared in Gaza and called for renewed Israeli settlement throughout the Gaza Strip.

He advocated for encouraging Gazans to emigrate, stating, "I see all of Gaza as ours." Braslavski asked to execute captured terrorists using Ben-Gvir's death penalty for terrorists law, to which Ben-Gvir vowed to do everything in his power to make it happen. Ben-Gvir also discussed conditions in Israeli prisons, saying he removed luxuries and was glad prisoners suffer greatly.

US Senator Jacky Rosen called for Ben-Gvir to resign, describing his remarks as horrific and completely indefensible. Rosen urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to denounce the comments and reaffirm to the world that this is not the government’s position. Ben-Gvir stated he disagrees with the prime minister's decision to reduce airstrikes on Gaza. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said Ben-Gvir set a 'nightly quota' for the massacre in Gaza.

Gharibabadi added that these confessions must be recorded and preserved for the day of reckoning. Ben-Gvir does not have power over the country's military and cannot order strikes on Gaza. He controls Israel's prisons and the national police force. Israel's top court ruled in 2025 that the prison service under Ben-Gvir was depriving Palestinians of a minimum subsistence diet. Israel denies committing genocide in Gaza. Over 73,391 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.