Israeli Security Minister Urges Nightly Gaza Killings And New Settlements
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged targeted assassinations in Gaza, saying in a podcast published the weekend before Monday, August 17, 2026, that Israel should be "taking down 30 to 40 every night." CBS News
He said the targets should include people who do not pose an immediate threat and called some Gazans "not worthy of life" and "not even people." CBS News He also urged reestablishing Israeli settlements across Gaza, promoting Palestinian emigration, and killing those he labels "terrorists" rather than allowing them to leave.[1]
Ben-Gvir has repeatedly drawn international condemnation, and U.N. officials have cited similar remarks as evidence of alleged genocidal intent by elements of Israel's government.[1] He has been sanctioned or barred by long-standing U.S. allies including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and France over past incidents of incitement of violence.[1]
Rights groups and diplomats say comments like these risk inflaming the conflict and could trigger renewed calls for investigations into whether Israeli policy toward Gaza meets the legal threshold for crimes against humanity.
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📌 Key Facts
- In a podcast published the weekend before Monday, August 17, 2026, Itamar Ben-Gvir urged 'targeted assassinations' in Gaza, 'taking down 30 to 40 every night.'
- Ben-Gvir said the targets should include people who do not pose an immediate threat and described some Gazans as 'not worthy of life' and 'not even people.'
- He advocated reestablishing Israeli settlements throughout Gaza, promoting Palestinian emigration, and killing those he labels 'terrorists' rather than allowing them to leave.
- Similar prior statements by Ben-Gvir and other officials have been cited at the U.N. as evidence of alleged genocidal intent by Israel's government in Gaza.
- Ben-Gvir has been sanctioned or banned by multiple long-standing U.S. allies, including Australia, Canada, the UK, Norway, and France, for incitement of violence.
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