Ben-Gvir calls for nightly killings in Gaza, vows to push for executions

Jerusalem: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Israeli forces to kill dozens of Palestinians in Gaza each night, saying military operations should extend beyond people deemed immediate threats.

According to a report published by Al Jazeera, Ben-Gvir made the remarks in a podcast conversation with Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli captive who was held in Gaza during the war that followed the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023. The episode surfaced on Sunday and was subsequently circulated widely by Palestinian media.

“There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn’t live. They’re not even people,” Ben-Gvir said, advocating targeted killings of Palestinians in Gaza.

Ben-Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and a member of Israel’s security cabinet, also criticised what he described as Netanyahu’s decision to reduce military strikes under the current ceasefire. He argued for renewed targeted assassinations that would not be limited to Palestinians considered active threats at a particular moment.

Although Ben-Gvir oversees Israel’s police and prison services, he does not have direct authority to order military strikes. His position on the security cabinet, however, gives him a role in discussions shaping the government’s war and security policies.

The minister also told Braslavski that he would seek to enable him to participate personally in the execution of Palestinian prisoners convicted by Israeli military courts under a recently enacted death penalty law.

“I have a personal request, and I am truly looking you in the eyes, minister. Let me be the one who hangs them,” Braslavski told Ben-Gvir.

“I don’t want a rope; I want a button on a gun. With my own hands, I will execute every terrorist in the state of Israel,” he said.

Ben-Gvir responded: “I will turn the world upside down to make that happen. I promise you that I will do everything I can and turn the world upside down until it happens.”

During the discussion, Ben-Gvir also advocated Palestinians leaving Gaza permanently and called for Israeli settlements to be established in the territory. He said he regarded “all of Gaza as ours”, a position he has expressed previously.