Israel's National Security Minister Calls for Systematic Killing of Palestinians in Gaza. 'They're Not Even Human'

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called in a weekend podcast for targeted assassinations in Gaza killing “30 to 40” people every night, CBS News reported.

Ben-Gvir made the remarks to Rom Braslavski, who was previously held as a hostage in Gaza, on Braslavski's Sunday podcast. Discussing Israel's response to the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel's recent reduction in strikes in Gaza, Ben-Gvir said: “It's no secret, I disagree with the prime minister … I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night.”

Ben-Gvir said the targets should include “not just those who pose an immediate threat.” He added: “There are people there who are not worthy of life. They shouldn't live. They're not even people.”

Ben-Gvir also called for Israeli settlements throughout Gaza, saying: “I see all of Gaza as ours.” He called for “settlements not just in Gush Katif but throughout Gaza,” and for “encouraging as much emigration as possible, sending them to their countries,” while saying of “the terrorists”: “no emigration, nothing, just to kill them one by one.”

Legal experts and the U.N. Secretary-General have warned that any move to force Palestinians to leave Gaza could amount to ethnic cleansing. Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal by the United Nations, the International Court of Justice and many other entities and nations, while Israel disputes the illegality of most of them.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X on Monday that “these confessions must be recorded and preserved for the day of reckoning and trial of these criminals.” Ben-Gvir has no control over Israel's military actions, but he runs the country's prisons and national police force; last year, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom announced sanctions against him “for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.”